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Dark chocolate low in polyphenols increases BMI in normal weight and overweight adults (121.3)
Author(s) -
Farhat Grace,
AlDujaili Emad,
Drummond Sandra,
Fyfe Lorna
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.121.3
Subject(s) - polyphenol , dark chocolate , overweight , placebo , food science , medicine , body mass index , anthropometry , chemistry , biochemistry , antioxidant , alternative medicine , pathology
Polyphenols are antioxidants with potential health benefits. Dark chocolate (DC) is one of the highest food sources of polyphenols (mainly flavanols). Two research areas have emerged recently; the effect of cocoa flavanols on body weight and the role of polyphenols in counteracting the negative effects of chocolate’s high fat content. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of DC supplementation with or without polyphenols on body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose and blood triglycerides (TG). Participants (61;22 overweight and 39 normal weight) took part in a randomized controlled parallel trial. Volunteers received 20g of either PRDC (polyphenol‐rich DC) (500mg) or placebo DC with negligible amount of polyphenols for 4 weeks. Anthropometric measures and a blood sample were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results showed a significant increase in BMI (0.17 ±0.32, p=0.007) following placebo DC consumption, while no changes in the PRDC group were noted (p=0.821). There was also a significant increase in fasting blood glucose and TG levels in the placebo group only (p=0.041 and p=0.008, respectively). These results suggest the potential role of polyphenols in body weight control and raises concerns over the polyphenol content of DC in the market. Further studies are needed on the benefits of DC before supporting the regulation of chocolate’s polyphenol to ensure its beneficial effect on health.