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Effect of cocoa and theobromine consumption on serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations: a randomized controlled trial.
- Source :
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; Jun2013, Vol. 97 Issue 6, p1201-1209, 9p, 1 Diagram, 4 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Background: Evidence from clinical studies has suggested that cocoa may increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations. However, it is unclear whether this effect is attributable to flavonoids or theobromine, both of which are major cocoa components. Objectives: We investigated whether pure theobromine increases serum HDL cholesterol and whether there is an interaction effect between theobromine and cocoa. Design: The study had a 2-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, full factorial parallel design. After a 2-wk run-in period, 152 healthy men and women (aged 40-70 y) were randomly allocated to consume one 200-mL drink/d for 4 wk that contained 1) cocoa, which naturally provided 150 mg theobromine and 325 mg flavonoids [cocoa intervention (CC)], 2) 850 mg pure theobromine [theobromine intervention (TB)], 3) cocoa and added theobromine, which provided 1000 mg theobromine and 325 mg flavonoids [theobromine and cocoa intervention (TB+CC)], or 4) neither cocoa nor theobromine (placebo). Blood lipids and apolipoproteins were measured at the start and end of interventions. Results: In a 2-factor analysis, there was a significant main effect of the TB (P < 0.0001) but not CC (P = 0.1288) on HDL cholesterol but no significant interaction (P = 0.3735). The TB increased HDL-cholesterol concentrations by 0.16 mmol/L (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, there was a significant main effect of the TB on increasing apolipoprotein A-I (P < 0.0001) and decreasing apolipoprotein B and LDL-cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.02). Conclusions: Theobromine independently increased serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations by 0.16 mmol/L. The lack of significant cocoa and interaction effects suggested that theobromine may be the main ingredient responsible for the HDL cholesterol-raising effect. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01481389. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- ANALYSIS of variance
ANTHROPOMETRY
APOLIPOPROTEINS
BEVERAGES
BLOOD pressure measurement
BRONCHODILATOR agents
CACAO
CHI-squared test
CHOLESTEROL
DIETARY supplements
HEART rate monitoring
HIGH density lipoproteins
LOW density lipoproteins
MEDICAL cooperation
RESEARCH
RESEARCH funding
STATISTICAL sampling
STATISTICS
T-test (Statistics)
VASODILATORS
STATISTICAL power analysis
DATA analysis
STATISTICAL significance
BODY mass index
RANDOMIZED controlled trials
PRE-tests & post-tests
BLIND experiment
DATA analysis software
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00029165
- Volume :
- 97
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 87782536
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.047373