Regular Consumption of a Flavanol-rich Chocolate can Improve Oxidant Stress in Young Soccer Players
The consumption of a diet rich in certain flavonoids, including the flavanol sub-class, has been associated with a reduced risk for vascular disease. We evaluated the effects of the regular consumption (14 d) of a flavanol-containing milk chocolate (FCMC) or co...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2005-01-01
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| Series: | Clinical and Developmental Immunology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10446670410001722159 |
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| Summary: | The consumption of a diet rich in certain flavonoids, including the flavanol
sub-class, has been associated with a reduced risk for vascular disease. We
evaluated the effects of the regular consumption (14 d) of a flavanol-containing
milk chocolate (FCMC) or cocoa butter chocolate (CBC) on variables related to
vascular disease risk, oxidative stress and physical activity. Twenty-eight free-living,
young (18–20 years old) male soccer players consumed daily 105 g of FCMC
(168 mg of flavanols) or CBC (<5 mg of flavanols), as part of their normal diet.
The consumption of FCMC was significantly associated with a decrease in diastolic
blood pressure (-5 mm Hg), mean blood pressure (-5 mm Hg), plasma cholesterol
(-11%), LDL-cholesterol (-15%), malondialdehyde (-12%), urate (-11%) and lactate
dehydrogenase (LDH) activity (-11%), and an increase in vitamin E/cholesterol
(+12%). No relevant changes in these variables were associated with CBC
consumption. No changes in the plasma levels of (-)-epicatechin were observed
following analysis of fasting blood samples. In conclusion, FCMC consumption was
associated with changes in several variables often associated with cardiovascular
health and oxidant stress. The presence of significant quantities of
flavanols in FCMC is likely to have been one of the contributing factors to these results. |
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| ISSN: | 1740-2522 1740-2530 |