Dietary Cocoa Flavanols Improve Vascular Function in Patients with Kidney Dysfunction
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Washington, DC – A dietary intervention study published today in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN) demonstrates that the daily intake of cocoa flavanols could significantly improve vascular function and reduce diastolic blood pressure in kidney patients on chronic hemodialysis. Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis were randomized to receive either a beverage containing a standardized amount of cocoa flavanols (450 mg per serving), bioactive compounds extracted from cocoa beans (provided by Mars Symbioscience), or a nutrient-matched control test drink containing no cocoa flavanols. The study participants consumed the assigned drink twice daily for 30 days. After 30 days, the group consuming 900 mg of cocoa flavanols daily had significantly improved blood vessel function and reduced diastolic blood pressure. This study suggests that cocoa flavanols may be one dietary approach for improving cardiovascular-related health outcomes in patients with kidney dysfunction undergoing hemodialysis.
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN)
