Effect of Polyphenol-rich Dark Chocolate on Body Weight in Overweight and Obese Adults

Effect of Polyphenol-rich Dark Chocolate on Body Weight in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Pilot Study

The aim of this study is to investigate if dark chocolate rich in polyphenols decreases body weight/ body fat in the overweight and obese adult population.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Body Weight
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Polyphenol-rich Dark chocolate; Other: Placebo Dark chocolate

Detailed Description

Polyphenols are phytochemicals widely available in plants, and may have several favourable effects on health. Dark chocolate (DC) is one of the highest sources of polyphenols in foods. Animal and in vitro studies have demonstrated that cocoa and dark chocolate may exert anti-obesity effects mainly due to the polyphenol effect on glucose and fatty acid metabolism. Human studies have showed that regular chocolate eaters have a lower body weight compared to non regular eaters, and that DC promotes satiety and reduces cravings. The aim of this pilot study is to investigate the effect of polyphenol-rich DC on body weight in the overweight and obese adult population, when incorporated into a non-restricted diet. Twenty-eight apparently healthy volunteers will be recruited. Participants will randomly receive 20g daily of one of the two different types of DC: Placebo DC (low in polyphenols) or DC rich in polyphenols (500mg) for a period of twelve weeks. Participants will be asked to make three appointments and one follow-up appointment to the university clinical lab. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference, body fat percentage) will be taken during each visit. Compliance will be defined by the intake of 85 % or more of the chocolate weekly, and will be tested by the measure of total polyphenols in a 24-hour urine sample before, during and at the end of the intervention. To monitor any fluctuations in the participants' diet or physical activity during the study period, a three-day diet diary, a Food Frequency questionnaire assessment for polyphenol intake and a physical activity questionnaire will be collected before the start of the study and every four weeks. A follow-up appointment (four weeks after the end of intervention) will check if any differences in anthropometric measures have been maintained. Data will be analysed with an ANCOVA with time (pre- and post-) and treatment (DC and placebo) as between-subject factor. This study will have novel findings and will be the basis for a future larger trial.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 14
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • East Lothian
    • Musselburgh, East Lothian, United Kingdom, EH21 6UU
      • Queen Margaret University Lab

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy adults
• BMI between 25-35
• Males and Females
• Age: 18-65 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with cardiovascular diseases, hypertension or diabetes
• Participants taking any medications that affect insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides or Blood pressure
• Participants who recently participated or are currently on a weight management program
• Participants with regular consumption of cocoa or DC (> 1 serving/week)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Polyphenol-rich Dark chocolate; Dark chocolate with 500 mg of polyphenols	Other: Polyphenol-rich Dark chocolate; Participants will be asked to consume 20g of dark chocolate containing 500mg of polyphenols daily for a period of 12 weeks
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Dark chocolate; This chocolate contains little or no polyphenols	Other: Placebo Dark chocolate; Participants will be asked to consume 20g of dark chocolate containing little or no polyphenols for a period of 12 weeks

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Body weight	The body weight will be measured using a digital scale	Baseline, week 6, week 12 and week 16

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Change in Body Fat percentage	Baseline, week 6, week 12 and week 16
Change in Waist circumference	Baseline, week 6, week 12 and week 16
Change in urinary Cortisol-to-cortisone ratio	Baseline, week 6 and week 12

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Queen Margaret University
• Collaborators: Barry Callebaut
• Investigators: Study Director: Emad Al-Dujaili, PhD, Queen Margaret University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2013
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): January 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 10, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 12, 2012
• First Posted (Estimate): December 17, 2012

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): October 21, 2014
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 20, 2014
• Last Verified: May 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Overweight; Body Weight
• Other Study ID Numbers: DC-BW 01