The Cardiovascular Benefits of Dark Chocolate Supplementation Before High-intensity Resistance Exercise in the Early Follicular and Mid-luteal Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 31
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Finger-Toe Pulse Wave Velocity (ftPWV)
研究概览
简要总结
This study investigates the effects of 85% dark chocolate supplementation on vascular function and nitric oxide (NO) levels during high-intensity resistance exercise in healthy women across menstrual phases. Using a randomized crossover design, 31 women consumed either dark chocolate or milk chocolate before exercising during the early follicular and mid-luteal phases. Vascular markers, including pulse wave velocity (ftPWV), arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and plasma NO levels, were measured at multiple time points.
详细描述
Background:
Dark chocolate, rich in flavanols, may support vascular health by reducing arterial stiffness and blood pressure across menstrual phases. This study examined the effects of 85% dark chocolate on nitric oxide (NO) levels and vascular function during high-intensity resistance exercise in healthy women across the early follicular and mid-luteal phases.
Methods:
Thirty-one healthy women (aged 20-30 years) with regular menstrual cycles completed a randomized, crossover study (conducted at National Chung Cheng University, Sep-Dec 2023). Participants consumed either 85% dark chocolate or milk chocolate (1g/kg body weight) before high-intensity resistance exercise during the early follicular (days 2-5) and mid-luteal (days 18-24) phases of two menstrual cycles. Finger-toe pulse wave velocity (ftPWV), arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and plasma NO levels were measured at rest, 2 hours after chocolate consumption (baseline), immediately post-exercise (T0), and at 60 (T60) and 120 (T120) minutes post-exercise.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Crossover
- 主要目的
- Prevention
- 盲法
- Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
盲法说明
Double-blind
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 20 Years 至 30 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- Female
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •the healthy adult women,
- •aged 20-30 years, from a local university campus,
- •had a regular menstrual cycles in the past three months.
排除标准
- •(1) irregular menstrual cycles (menstrual cycle length < 21 or > 35 days in the past three months),
- •(2) pregnancy or lactation in the past year,
- •(3) history of cardiovascular or uterine surgery in the past six months,
- •(4) use of contraceptives or other female hormone medications,
- •(5) smoking or alcohol consumption habits,
- •(6) hypertension (blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg), chronic diseases, heart disease, or other cardiovascular conditions, (7) allergy to cocoa products, nuts, or fruits.
研究组 & 干预措施
Early Follicular
Participants consumed either 85% dark chocolate or milk chocolate (1g/kg body weight) before high-intensity resistance exercise during the early follicular (days 2-5) phases of two menstrual cycles.
干预措施: milk chocolate (Dietary Supplement)
Early Follicular
Participants consumed either 85% dark chocolate or milk chocolate (1g/kg body weight) before high-intensity resistance exercise during the early follicular (days 2-5) phases of two menstrual cycles.
干预措施: high-intensity resistance exercise (Behavioral)
Mid-Luteal
Participants consumed either 85% dark chocolate or milk chocolate (1g/kg body weight) before high-intensity resistance exercise during the mid-luteal (days 18-24) phases of two menstrual cycles.
干预措施: milk chocolate (Dietary Supplement)
Mid-Luteal
Participants consumed either 85% dark chocolate or milk chocolate (1g/kg body weight) before high-intensity resistance exercise during the mid-luteal (days 18-24) phases of two menstrual cycles.
干预措施: high-intensity resistance exercise (Behavioral)
Mid-Luteal
Participants consumed either 85% dark chocolate or milk chocolate (1g/kg body weight) before high-intensity resistance exercise during the mid-luteal (days 18-24) phases of two menstrual cycles.
干预措施: dark chocolate (Dietary Supplement)
Early Follicular
Participants consumed either 85% dark chocolate or milk chocolate (1g/kg body weight) before high-intensity resistance exercise during the early follicular (days 2-5) phases of two menstrual cycles.
干预措施: dark chocolate (Dietary Supplement)
结局指标
主要结局
Finger-Toe Pulse Wave Velocity (ftPWV)
时间窗: Finger-toe pulse wave velocity (ftPWV) were measured at rest, 2 hours after chocolate consumption (baseline), immediately post-exercise (T0), and at 60 (T60) and 120 (T120) minutes post-exercise.
Measurements at other time points are taken while participants are resting in the laboratory. Firstly, sensors for photoplethysmography (PPG) were placed on the right index finger and right big toe of the participants. These sensors were marked with an oily pen to ensure consistent placement throughout the experiment. The signals were then amplified using a Biopec MP150 (MP150, Biopac Systems Inc., Goleta, CA, USA), with each physiological signal collected for at least 150 seconds. The signals were analyzed using MATLAB to calculate the time difference between the two pulse waves. The length of the participant's body segments ( sternum to the right index finger, and sternum to the big toe of the right foot) was measured, and this value was divided by the average difference between 10 pulse waves (in the stable interval of 150 seconds) to calculate the ftPWV value (m/s).
次要结局
- Arterial Index(Arterial index (API and AVI) were measured at rest, 2 hours after chocolate consumption (baseline), immediately post-exercise (T0), and at 60 (T60) and 120 (T120) minutes post-exercise.)
研究者
Cheng-Shiun He, PhD
Professor
National Cheng Kung University