Dark Chocolate for Cardiovascular Disease

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: San Diego State University

Must not be taking: Metabolic disorder medications

Disqualifiers: Smoker, Pregnant, Lactose intolerance, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 2 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to examine how different types of chocolate affect heart health. It will test the effects of consuming dark chocolate, bloomed dark chocolate, and white chocolate on cardiovascular health markers. Participants will eat 50 grams of either dark or white chocolate daily for 15 days to assess its impact on their heart. The trial seeks generally healthy individuals who are non-smokers, not pregnant, and have no allergies to cacao or lactose intolerance. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to understanding the broader impacts of chocolate on heart health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but if you require medication for metabolic disorders, you cannot participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that eating dark chocolate can benefit heart health. Studies have found that dark chocolate can lower high blood pressure and improve blood flow. It might also reduce the risk of heart disease. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, natural compounds that help protect the heart.

White chocolate, however, contains fewer flavonoids than dark chocolate, which means it might not offer the same heart benefits. There is no evidence that eating white chocolate in the short term is harmful.

In general, eating dark chocolate is safe for most people, with few experiencing serious side effects when consumed in moderation. This suggests that the chocolate used in the study is safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about using dark chocolate for cardiovascular disease because it contains flavonoids, which are believed to improve heart health by enhancing blood flow and reducing inflammation. Unlike standard treatments such as statins or beta-blockers, which primarily manage cholesterol and blood pressure, dark chocolate offers a natural and potentially more enjoyable way to support cardiovascular health. Additionally, the treatment could show positive effects in just 15 days, offering a quicker alternative to some conventional methods that require longer periods to see results.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for cardiovascular disease?

This trial will compare the effects of dark chocolate and white chocolate on cardiovascular health. Research has shown that dark chocolate might benefit heart health. One study found that eating dark chocolate daily could significantly reduce heart problems. Another study found it could improve cholesterol levels, especially when consumed with almonds. Dark chocolate might also lower the risk of high blood pressure, which is crucial for heart health. Participants in this trial will consume either dark chocolate or white chocolate daily for 15 days. White chocolate lacks the same benefits because it does not contain the antioxidants found in dark chocolate. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with sleep apnea and/or cardiovascular disease. Participants should be interested in how different types of chocolate affect heart health markers. Specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are not provided, but typically these would outline who can or cannot participate based on factors like age, health status, and other conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

Generally healthy subjects

Exclusion Criteria

Smoker

Pregnant woman

Required dietary supplement use

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume 50g of either dark chocolate, bloomed dark chocolate, or white chocolate daily

2 weeks

Daily consumption

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cardiovascular health markers after treatment

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Dark Chocolate
• White Chocolate

Trial Overview

The study investigates the impact of regular dark chocolate, bloomed dark chocolate (chocolate that shows a white coating due to fat or sugar bloom), and white chocolate on cardiovascular health markers to see if they influence the risk factors for heart diseases.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Dark chocolate Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects consume 50g of dark chocolate daily for 15 days.

Group II: White chocolate Active Control 1 Intervention

Subjects consume 50g of white chocolate daily for 15 days.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

San Diego State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

182

Recruited

119,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Regular consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa products can significantly lower systolic blood pressure, with a study showing a mean reduction of 5.8 mmHg in a population with mild hypercholesterolemia.

Human dietary intervention trials indicate that flavanol-containing foods, like cocoa, improve endothelial and platelet function, supporting their potential cardiovascular benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of cocoa flavanols on risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Erdman, JW., Carson, L., Kwik-Uribe, C., et al.[2008]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10781976/

Dark chocolate intake and cardiovascular diseases

We found that dark chocolate intake was significantly associated with the reduction of the risk of essential hypertension (EH).

2.

bmj.com

bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e3657

best case scenario analysis using a Markov model

Daily consumption of dark chocolate (polyphenol content equivalent to 100 g of dark chocolate) can reduce cardiovascular events by 85 (95% confidence interval ...

3.

ahajournals.org

ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/jaha.116.005162

Effects of Dark Chocolate and Almonds on Cardiovascular ...

Our results demonstrate that consumption of almonds alone or combined with dark chocolate under controlled‐feeding conditions improves lipid profiles.

4.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S089990071730206X

Review Can chocolate consumption reduce cardio ...

The results of the meta-analysis showed a potential protective effect of moderate consumption of chocolate on cardiovascular risk, especially for women, and ...

5.

sportsmedicine-open.springeropen.com

sportsmedicine-open.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40798-025-00850-9

The Cardiovascular Benefits of Dark Chocolate ...

This study demonstrated that 85% dark chocolate supplementation improved vascular function in healthy adult women, with effects varying by ...

6.

bmj.com

bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d4488

Chocolate consumption and cardiometabolic disorders

The highest levels of chocolate consumption were associated with a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease (relative risk 0.63 (95% confidence ...

7.

heart.org

heart.org/en/news/2019/02/12/are-there-health-benefits-from-chocolate

Are there health benefits from chocolate?

Most dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, particularly a subtype called flavanols that is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.