Effects of Cocoa Flavanol on Skin Aging

Effects of 24-week Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation on Photo-aged Facial Skin

Photoaging is caused by the superposition of chronic ultraviolet (UV)-induced damage on the intrinsic aging process, and accounts for the majority of age-associated changes in skin appearance. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) likely contribute to this process. Strategies utilizing endogenous skin antioxidants as well as plant-derived or synthetic compounds have been examined.

Cocoa beans fresh from the tree are exceptionally rich in polyphenols, such as flavanol, and have a higher antioxidant capacity. The present study is designed to investigate the effects of long-term intake of a product rich in cocoa flavanols on facial wrinkles, hydration, elasticity and photosensitivity.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Ageing; Photo-aging
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Cocoa flavanol beverage; Dietary supplement: Placebo beverage

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 64
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Korea, Republic of
  • Seoul, Korea, Republic of, 110744
    • Seoul National University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 40 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy females aged ≥ 40 years
• Facial wrinkle grade ≥ 2

Exclusion Criteria:

• received medical or cosmetic treatment that interferes with the general aging process at least 3 months before the study
• reported taking functional foods 1 month before the study
• history of acute or chronic disease such as severe liver or kidney disease or uncontrolled diabetes
• history of allergies against any component of trial foods
• any visible skin disease that might be confused with a skin reaction to the test procedure

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Cocoa flavanol beverage; flavanol 320mg/day	Dietary supplement: Cocoa flavanol beverage; Other Names: High-flavanol cocoa
Placebo Comparator: Placebo beverage; no flavanol	Dietary supplement: Placebo beverage

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline in skin wrinkles at week 24	Facial wrinkles in the crow's feet area measured as R1-3	baseline, week 24

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline in skin elasticity at week 24	Facial elasticity measured as R2, R5, R7	baseline, week 24
Change from baseline in minimal erythema dose at week 24		baseline, week 24
Change from baseline in skin hydration at week 12	Skin hydration measured by Corneometer	baseline, week 12
Change from baseline in skin color at week 12	Skin color measured as erythema index and melanin index	baseline, week 12

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Seoul National University Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Jin Ho Chung, MD, PhD, Seoul National University Hospital

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Heinrich U, Neukam K, Tronnier H, Sies H, Stahl W. Long-term ingestion of high flavanol cocoa provides photoprotection against UV-induced erythema and improves skin condition in women. J Nutr. 2006 Jun;136(6):1565-9. doi: 10.1093/jn/136.6.1565.
• Williams S, Tamburic S, Lally C. Eating chocolate can significantly protect the skin from UV light. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2009 Sep;8(3):169-73. doi: 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2009.00448.x.
• Yoon HS, Kim JR, Park GY, Kim JE, Lee DH, Lee KW, Chung JH. Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation Influences Skin Conditions of Photo-Aged Women: A 24-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial. J Nutr. 2016 Jan;146(1):46-50. doi: 10.3945/jn.115.217711. Epub 2015 Nov 18.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: February 1, 2014
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 1, 2015
• Study Completion (Actual): March 1, 2015

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 9, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 9, 2014
• First Posted (Estimate): February 11, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): June 14, 2016
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 11, 2016
• Last Verified: June 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Anti-aging; High-flavanol cocoa
• Other Study ID Numbers: N0000697