Background: Chocolates
and other cocoa products, as a none-pharmacologic treatment get attention due
to their lowering blood pressure activity. The purpose of this study was to
determine the effects of 8 weeks consumption of 25 gr dark chocolate (450
mg/day polyphenols) on glycemic control and blood pressure in hypertensive
diabetic patients.
Methods: This clinical
trial was conducted on 69 hypertensive diabetic patients who were randomly
assigned in two (intervention and control) groups. Groups (n=25) received 25 gr
dark chocolate (450mg/day polyphenols) or similar amounts of White chocolate.
Blood samples of patients were collected to measure Fasting Blood Glucose
(FBS), fasting insulin and HbA1c level.
Physical activity levels and nutrients intake were evaluated before and after
intervention and were compared between the groups.
Results: At the end of the study, intervention
group had significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p< 0.001) than control group. FBS, HbA1c, systolic and diastolic blood
pressure declined significantly in intervention group during the trial.
Conclusions: These data
suggest that polyphenols rich in dark chocolate may improve blood pressure and
glycemic control in hypertensive diabetic patients.
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