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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT02130141

The Effects of Dark Chocolate on Blood Pressure in Individuals With Mildly Elevated Blood Pressure

The evidence linking chocolate with lowered blood pressure has been observed. However, the interventions have been short, at most 4 weeks. The aim of this study is to find out if the habitual consumption of dark chocolate for 8 weeks has an effect on blood pressure. Also, more insight to the mechanisms linking chocolate to individual healt-responses is needed.

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Key information

Conditions

Blood Pressure Cardiovascular Diseases Hypertension Vascular Diseases

Age range

25 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Helsingin Yliopisto, Finland

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • age 25-65 years
  • resting systolic pressure 140-159 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure 90-99 mmHg
  • BMI 25.0- 29.9

Exclusion criteria

  • smoking
  • regular medication for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes or asthma

Treatment and study plan

Dark chocolate

Dietary Supplement

Mildly hypertensive subject will replace their usual snacks with with 50 g dark chocolate daily for a period of 8 weeks.

dietary counselling

Other

Usual snacks are limited.

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    Usual daily snack is replaced by 50 g dark chocolate for a period of 8 weeks. During the control period, the same usual snack is limited in the diet, but without the replacement with the dark chocolate.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Ambulatory blood pressure

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  2. Blood lipids, inflammation markers, plasma levels of cocoa polyphenols

    Time frame: 8 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Helsinki

Other

Collaborators

  • Fazer Group

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of Dark Chocolate on Blood Pressure in Mildly Hypertensive Individuals

Acronym: CHOKO

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
May 5, 2014
Registry last updated
May 5, 2014

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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