The Effect of Theobromine on Blood Lipid Parameters in Healthy Subjects

Inclusion criteria

• Apparently healthy men and post-menopausal women: no medical conditions which might affect study measurements (judged by study physician)
• Willing and able to participate in the study protocol
• Written informed consent
• Age 40-70 years
• 10-year risk of developing CHD <10%, based on data from the Framingham Heart Study
• BMI > 18 and < 30 kg/m2
• Blood pressure, heart rate, haematological and clinical chemical parameters within the normal reference range as judged by research physician
• Willing to comply with the dietary restrictions of the study.
• Accessible veins on arm(s) as determined by examination at screening

Exclusion criteria

• Previous cardiovascular event(s) (stroke, TIA, angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Reported alcohol consumption > 14 units/week (female) or > 21 units/week (male)
• Currently on a medically prescribed diet, or slimming diet
• Reported weight loss or gain of 10% body weight or more during a period of 6 months before pre-study examination
• Reported intense sporting activities > 10 h/w
• Use of prescribed medication which may interfere with study measurements, as judged by the physician
• Use of antibiotics in the three months before screening or during the study.
• Currently smoking or being a non-smoker for less than 6 months and reported use of any nicotine containing products in the 6 months preceding the study and during the study itself
• Reported intolerance to test products or other food products provided during the study
• Blood donation 1 month (males) or 2 months (females) prior to screening and during the study
• Reported participation in another nutritional or biomedical trial 3 months before screening or during the study.
• Extreme coffee consumption