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PapersPMID:38931273

Effects of Cocoa Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Nutrients2024The record ↗

findings
5
compound
1
endpoints
5
no difference found
1
PMID:38931273
  1. Finding, strong evidencelowersSystolic blood pressure
  2. Finding, strong evidencelowersDiastolic blood pressure
  3. Finding, moderate evidencelowersTotal cholesterol (TC)
  4. Finding, moderate evidencelowersLDL cholesterol
  5. Finding, moderate evidenceno difference foundGlycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)
Study, every finding
meta-analysis
Dose studied, every finding
daily cocoa intake 1.4 to 50.0 g across trials

What moved

How to read these marks →
  • “The overall analysis of the effect of cocoa consumption on blood pressure involved 22 studies (n = 1224) and showed a reduction in SBP of −2.52 mmHg (95% CI −4.17 to −0.88 mmHg) and a reduction in DBP of −1.58 mmHg (95% CI −2.54 to −0.62 mmHg).”
    • Decreases systolic blood pressure

      strong

      Participants
      1,224
      Effect
      −2.52 mean difference, 95% CI −4.17 to −0.88
      Population
      Adults aged 18 or over, healthy or with cardiometabolic risk factors; 22 pooled randomised trials of 4 weeks or longer
    • Decreases diastolic blood pressure

      strong

      Participants
      1,224
      Effect
      −1.58 mean difference, 95% CI −2.54 to −0.62
      Population
      Adults aged 18 or over, healthy or with cardiometabolic risk factors; 22 pooled randomised trials of 4 weeks or longer
  • Decreases total cholesterol (TC)

    moderate

    “Dietary cocoa consumption effectively reduced total cholesterol by −8.35 mg/dL (95% CI −14.01 to −2.69 mg/dL).”
    Effect
    −8.35 mean difference, 95% CI −14.01 to −2.69
    Population
    Adults aged 18 or over, healthy or with cardiometabolic risk factors; pooled randomised trials of 4 weeks or longer
  • Decreases LDL cholesterol

    moderate

    “The analysis showed a reduction in LDL-c of −9.47 mg/dL (95% CI −13.75 to −5.20) with cocoa consumption.”
    Effect
    −9.47 mean difference, 95% CI −13.75 to −5.2
    Population
    Adults aged 18 or over, healthy or with cardiometabolic risk factors; pooled randomised trials of 4 weeks or longer, one outlier study excluded

What did not

  • No detected effect on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)

    moderate

    “The other outcome of interest in glucose metabolism was HbA1c, and the results showed no effect of cocoa consumption on HbA1c.”
    Population
    Adults aged 18 or over, healthy or with cardiometabolic risk factors; pooled randomised trials of 4 weeks or longer, few studies

Study record

Design
meta-analysis
Species
human
Population
Adults aged 18 and over, healthy or with cardiometabolic risk factors, in 31 randomized trials of cocoa extract or dark chocolate of 70% cocoa or more
Participants
1,986
Comparator
placebo
Duration
84 days
Endpoints measured
20