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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03203824

The Effects of Dark Chocolate (70% Cacao) on EEG Brain Waves in Vigorously Active Individuals

The purpose of this graduate student study is to determine if ingestion of dark chocolate (70% cacao) will change brain frequencies between visualization at a state of rest and a state of exercise performance via electroencephalography (EEG) in vigorously active individuals.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

21 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Loma Linda U

Loma Linda, California, 92354, United States

About this study

The procedures include: On day one, participants will fill out a dark chocolate Likert scale, physical activity assessment, and demographic questionnaire. Day two and three, on consecutive days will include, three EEG measurements will be recorded: 1) at baseline, 2) during visualization of rest for one minute, and 3) during visualization of usual vigorous exercise for one minute. The second day all three measurements will be recorded without dark chocolate (70% cacao). The third day all three measurements will be recorded again. Measurements 2 and 3 will be recorded savoring dark chocolate and after fully ingesting the dark chocolate respectively.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 21-45 years of age
  • vigorously active individuals, based on the General Physical Activities defined by Level of Intensity guidelines, greater than 75 minutes per week
  • enjoy dark chocolate

Exclusion criteria

  • Caffeine, sedatives, or tranquilizers within 12 hours of study
  • Creatine or other performance enhancing steroid supplementation within 24 hours of study
  • Ginseng supplementation within 24 hours of study
  • Barbiturates within at least 36 hours of study
  • Currently taking antiepileptic medications
  • Any allergies, colds or sinus infections day of the study

Treatment and study plan

Dark chocolate

Dietary Supplement

Participants will be provided Parliament dark chocolate (70% cocoa) from Redlands, CA. The Parliament chocolate is made with cacao and cane sugar. Each participant will be given half a piece (1.4 g) of dark chocolate to consume for this experiment over three minutes.

non dark chocolate

Other

No dark chocolate will be given to this group during the procedures.

Primary outcomes

  1. EEG Wave Band Activity without dark chocolate ingestion

    Time frame: change from baseline to during visualization of rest for one minute

    The EEG, electroencephalogram, is a test that detects abnormalities in the brain waves or the electrical activity of the brain. During the procedure, electrodes consisting of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto the scalp. The electrodes detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity in the brain cells. EEG wave band activity will be recorded from 9 cerebral cortical scalp locations: F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz, and P4 using the EEG B-Alert 10X System, Carlsbad CA. Each of the brain frequencies will be measured in 5 second increments. Data collection will last no longer than 2 hours for each session.

  2. EEG Wave Band Activity without dark chocolate ingestion

    Time frame: change from visualization of rest for one minute and during visualization of usual vigorous exercise for one minute.

    The EEG, electroencephalogram, is a test that detects abnormalities in the brain waves or the electrical activity of the brain. During the procedure, electrodes consisting of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto the scalp. The electrodes detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity in the brain cells. EEG wave band activity will be recorded from 9 cerebral cortical scalp locations: F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz, and P4 using the EEG B-Alert 10X System, Carlsbad CA. Each of the brain frequencies will be measured in 5 second increments. Data collection will last no longer than 2 hours for each session.

Secondary outcomes

  1. EEG wave band activity with dark chocolate ingestion

    Time frame: change from baseline to during visualization of rest for one minute

    The EEG, electroencephalogram, is a test that detects abnormalities in the brain waves or the electrical activity of the brain. During the procedure, electrodes consisting of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto the scalp. The electrodes detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity in the brain cells. EEG wave band activity will be recorded from 9 cerebral cortical scalp locations: F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz, and P4 using the EEG B-Alert 10X System, Carlsbad CA. Each of the brain frequencies will be measured in 5 second increments. Data collection will last no longer than 2 hours for each session.

  2. EEG wave band activity with dark chocolate ingestion

    Time frame: change from visualization of rest for one minute and during visualization of usual vigorous exercise for one minute.

    The EEG, electroencephalogram, is a test that detects abnormalities in the brain waves or the electrical activity of the brain. During the procedure, electrodes consisting of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto the scalp. The electrodes detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity in the brain cells. EEG wave band activity will be recorded from 9 cerebral cortical scalp locations: F3, Fz, F4, C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz, and P4 using the EEG B-Alert 10X System, Carlsbad CA. Each of the brain frequencies will be measured in 5 second increments. Data collection will last no longer than 2 hours for each session.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Loma Linda University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Jun 29, 2017
Registry last updated
Jun 25, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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