Effects of Dark Chocolate and Almonds on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Randomized Controlled-Feeding Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the individual and combined effects of almonds, dark chocolate, and cocoa on markers of coronary heart disease risk in overweight and obese individuals.
Results Summary
Almond consumption alone reduced total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol by 4%, 5%, and 7%, respectively. Combined with dark chocolate, almonds also reduced apolipoprotein B by 5% and small dense LDL particles by 12.0 mg/dL compared to the average American diet.
Population
Overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years.
Effective Dosage
42.5 g/d of almonds.
Duration
4 weeks per diet period.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
almond diet (ALD) | decrease | total cholesterol | overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years | 4% | were lower | #1 |
almond diet (ALD) | decrease | non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol | overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years | 5% | were lower | #2 |
almond diet (ALD) | decrease | low-density lipoprotein cholesterol | overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years | 7% | were lower | #3 |
CHOC+ALD diet | decrease | apolipoprotein B | overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years | 5% | decreased | #4 |
almond diet (ALD) | decrease | large buoyant low-density lipoprotein particles | overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years | -5.7±2.3 versus -0.3±2.3 mg/dL | showed a greater reduction | #5 |
CHOC+ALD diet | decrease | small dense low-density lipoprotein particles | overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years | -12.0±2.8 versus -5.3±2.8 mg/dL | had a greater decrease | #6 |
almond diet (ALD), chocolate diet (CHOC), CHOC+ALD diet | no change | measures of vascular health | overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years | no significant change | There were no significant differences | #7 |
almond diet (ALD), chocolate diet (CHOC), CHOC+ALD diet | no change | measures of oxidative stress | overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years | no significant change | There were no significant differences | #8 |
almonds alone | increase | lipid profiles | overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years | - | improves | #9 |
almonds combined with dark chocolate | increase | lipid profiles | overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years | - | improves | #10 |
BACKGROUND: Consumption of almonds or dark chocolate and cocoa has favorable effects on markers of coronary heart disease; however, the combined effects have not been evaluated in a well-controlled feeding study. The aim of this study was to examine the individual and combined effects of consumption of dark chocolate and cocoa and almonds on markers of coronary heart disease risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: A randomized controlled, 4-period, crossover, feeding trial was conducted in overweight and obese individuals aged 30 to 70 years. Forty-eight participants were randomized, and 31 participants completed the entire study. Each diet period was 4 weeks long, followed by a 2-week compliance break. Participants consumed each of 4 isocaloric, weight maintenance diets: (1) no treatment foods (average American diet), (2) 42.5 g/d of almonds (almond diet [ALD]), (3) 18 g/d of cocoa powder and 43 g/d of dark chocolate (chocolate diet [CHOC]), or (4) all 3 foods (CHOC+ALD). Compared with the average American diet, total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol after the ALD were lower by 4%, 5%, and 7%, respectively (P<0.05). The CHOC+ALD decreased apolipoprotein B by 5% compared with the average American diet. For low-density lipoprotein subclasses, compared with the average American diet, the ALD showed a greater reduction in large buoyant low-density lipoprotein particles (-5.7±2.3 versus -0.3±2.3 mg/dL; P=0.04), whereas the CHOC+ALD had a greater decrease in small dense low-density lipoprotein particles (-12.0±2.8 versus -5.3±2.8 mg/dL; P=0.04). There were no significant differences between diets for measures of vascular health and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that consumption of almonds alone or combined with dark chocolate under controlled-feeding conditions improves lipid profiles. Incorporating almonds, dark chocolate, and cocoa into a typical American diet without exceeding energy needs may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01882881.