Protective Effects of Cocoa Ingestion Over Healthy Males Plasma Lipids Subjected to Peroxidative Conditions

Background: Cocoa is rich in flavonoids such as (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin; these compounds have displayed both in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity. Objective: This trial evaluate the regular ingestion effect of both, dark chocolate and cocoa powder, over plasma lipids of young males subjected to ex vivo lipid peroxidative conditions. Design: Single-blind, controlled and randomized clinical trial including 100 healthy men, divided into two groups: 50 subjects received 30 g of cocoa powder and 50 g of dark chocolate/d for 1 wk, and the other 50 subjects received placebo.