Cocoa-rich chocolate and body composition in postmenopausal women: a randomised clinical trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether adding 10 g of cocoa-rich chocolate daily to the habitual diet of postmenopausal women affects body composition.
Results Summary
The study found that daily consumption of 10 g of cocoa-rich chocolate significantly reduced body fat mass and body fat percentage in postmenopausal women, with no significant change in BMI. The effects were consistent across trunk, arms, and legs.
Population
Postmenopausal women (average age 57.2 years, n=132).
Effective Dosage
10 g daily of 99% cocoa chocolate.
Duration
6 months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 g daily of 99 % cocoa chocolate in addition to their habitual diet | decrease | body fat mass | postmenopausal women | -0.63 kg (95 % CI -1.15, -0.11) | showed a favourable reduction | #1 |
10 g daily of 99 % cocoa chocolate in addition to their habitual diet | decrease | body fat percentage | postmenopausal women | -0.79 % (95 % CI -1.31, -0.26) | showed a favourable reduction | #2 |
10 g daily of 99 % cocoa chocolate in addition to their habitual diet | decrease | BMI | postmenopausal women | -0.20 kg/m2 (95 % CI -0.44, 0.03) | A non-significant decrease was also observed | #3 |
10 g daily of 99 % cocoa chocolate in addition to their habitual diet | decrease | body fat mass | postmenopausal women | - | showed a decrease | #4 |
10 g daily of 99 % cocoa chocolate in addition to their habitual diet | decrease | body fat percentage | postmenopausal women | - | showed a decrease | #5 |
Daily addition of 10 g of cocoa-rich chocolate to the habitual diet | decrease | body fat mass | postmenopausal women | - | reduces | #6 |
Daily addition of 10 g of cocoa-rich chocolate to the habitual diet | decrease | body fat percentage | postmenopausal women | - | reduces | #7 |
During menopause, women undergo a series of physiological changes that include a redistribution of fat tissue. This study was designed to investigate the effect of adding 10 g of cocoa-rich chocolate to the habitual diet of postmenopausal women daily on body composition. We conducted a 6-month, two-arm randomised, controlled trial. Postmenopausal women (57·2 (sd 3·6) years, n 132) were recruited in primary care clinics. Participants in the control group (CG) did not receive any intervention. Those of the intervention group (IG) received 10 g daily of 99 % cocoa chocolate in addition to their habitual diet for 6 months. This quantity comprises 247 kJ (59 kcal) and 65·4 mg of polyphenols. The primary outcomes were the between-group differences in body composition variables, measured by impendancemetry at the end of the study. The main effect of the intervention showed a favourable reduction in the IG with respect to the CG in body fat mass (-0·63 kg (95 % CI -1·15, -0·11), P = 0·019; Cohen's d = -0·450) and body fat percentage (-0·79 % (95 % CI -1·31, -0·26), P = 0·004; Cohen's d = -0·539). A non-significant decrease was also observed in BMI (-0·20 kg/m2 (95 % CI -0·44, 0·03), P = 0·092; Cohen's d = -0·345). Both the body fat mass and the body fat percentage showed a decrease in the IG for the three body segments analysed (trunk, arms and legs). Daily addition of 10 g of cocoa-rich chocolate to the habitual diet of postmenopausal women reduces their body fat mass and body fat percentage without modifying their weight.