Key result
Daily consumption of 50 g of dark chocolate for two weeks significantly decreased pulse wave velocity by 11.82% (p<0.001) and augmentation index by 19.47% (p<0.001) in male endurance runners.
Why the study?
Foods rich in polyphenols have beneficial health effects, but the impact of dark chocolate on arterial function in endurance runners needed examination.
Does daily consumption of 50 g of dark chocolate improve arterial function in male endurance runners?
Cohort (n=46)
Does daily consumption of 50 g of dark chocolate improve arterial function in male endurance runners?
Effect estimate: 11.82% decrease
p-value: p=<0.001
Daily consumption of 50 g of dark chocolate for two weeks significantly improved arterial stiffness and exercise capacity in male amateur endurance runners.
Dark chocolate intake was associated with reduced arterial stiffness in male runners; hypothesis-generating, needs RCTs before practice change.
Foods rich in polyphenols have beneficial effects on health. This study aimed to examine the impact of dark chocolate on endurance runners’ arterial function. Forty-six male amateur runners, aged 25–55, participated. The initial assessments included clinical testing, arterial stiffness measurements, and a cardiopulmonary exercise test. The participants then consumed 50 g of dark chocolate (70% cocoa) daily for two weeks, maintaining their usual training routine. After this period, the baseline assessment was repeated. The results showed significant improvements. Pulse wave velocity decreased by 11.82% (p < 0.001), and augmentation index by 19.47% (p < 0.001). Systolic brachial blood pressure reduced by 2.12% (p < 0.05), diastolic by 2.79% (p < 0.05), and mean pressure by 2.41% (p < 0.05). Central arterial pressure also decreased, with systolic by 1.24% (p < 0.05), diastolic by 2.80% (p < 0.05), and mean pressure by 2.43% (p < 0.05). Resting heart rate increased by 4.57% (p < 0.05) and left ventricular ejection time decreased by 4.89% (p < 0.05), particularly in athletes over 40. Exercise time increased by 2.16% (p < 0.05), heart rate (max) by 1.15% (p < 0.05), VO2max by 2.31% (p < 0.05), and anaerobic threshold shifted by 6.91% (p < 0.001) in exercise time and 6.93% (p < 0.001) in VO2max. In conclusion, dark chocolate improves arterial function in endurance runners, enhancing vascular health.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Vordos et al. (2024) conducted a cohort in Endurance runners (n=46). Dark chocolate (70% cocoa) vs. Baseline was evaluated on Pulse wave velocity (11.82% decrease, p=<0.001). Daily consumption of 50 g of dark chocolate for two weeks significantly decreased pulse wave velocity by 11.82% (p<0.001) and augmentation index by 19.47% (p<0.001) in male endurance runners.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: