Cocoa and Endothelial Function in Adults With Elevated BMI

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Studies have shown that obesity is an important risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction, a pathologic feature of obesity, predicts the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. Recent research findings indicate that consumption of cocoa exerts cardioprotective effects, which include increasing HDL levels, reduction in systolic BP, inhibition of platelet aggregation/activity and activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Proposed is a randomized controlled trial consisting of 4 phases designed to examine the dose-response, and the acute and sustained effects of cocoa consumption on endothelial function as a marker of cardiovascular disease risk in 45 otherwise healthy adults with a BMI 25-35kg/m2.