The Acute Effects of Cocoa Flavanols Intake on Overt and Covert Attention

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

48 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-11-26

Study Completion Date

2023-01-20

Brief Summary

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The present study aimed to examine whether a cocoa beverage containing 710 mg of flavanols enhances both overt and covert attention in healthy young adults, using a randomized, double-blind, baseline- and placebo-controlled crossover design.

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Detailed Description

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Cocoa flavanols (CF) have various physiological effects that may directly or indirectly enhance cognitive functions. Following CF intake, a series of biochemical processes within vascular smooth muscle cells lead to the relaxation of smooth muscles, the dilation of blood vessels, and an increase in cerebral blood flow. For the brain to function optimally, cerebral blood flow must be maintained at a level that ensures a constant supply of oxygen and glucose to neurons. During periods of intense neuronal activity, neurons require more oxygen and nutrients, which is met by an increase in blood flow. Given that CF has been shown to enhance blood flow and perfusion in brain regions associated with attention (e.g., the parietal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), it was hypothesized that CF intake could acutely improve both overt and covert attention.

Conditions

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Healthy Young Adults

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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Baseline/Placebo/Flavanol

Participants consumed sugar water, an alkalized cocoa beverage, and a natural cocoa beverage containing 710 mg of flavanols, with a one-week washout period between interventions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Flavanol

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Natural cocoa powder containing 710 mg of flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Placebo

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Alkalized cocoa powder containing no flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Sugar water

Intervention Type OTHER

250 mL of hot water with 6 g of sugar

Baseline/Flavanol/Placebo

Participants consumed sugar water, a natural cocoa beverage containing 710 mg of flavanols, and an alkalized cocoa beverage, with a one-week washout period between interventions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Flavanol

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Natural cocoa powder containing 710 mg of flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Placebo

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Alkalized cocoa powder containing no flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Sugar water

Intervention Type OTHER

250 mL of hot water with 6 g of sugar

Placebo/Baseline/Flavanol

Participants consumed an alkalized cocoa beverage, sugar water, and a natural cocoa beverage containing 710 mg of flavanols, with a one-week washout period between interventions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Flavanol

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Natural cocoa powder containing 710 mg of flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Placebo

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Alkalized cocoa powder containing no flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Sugar water

Intervention Type OTHER

250 mL of hot water with 6 g of sugar

Placebo/Flavanol/Baseline

Participants consumed an alkalized cocoa beverage, a natural cocoa beverage containing 710 mg of flavanols, and sugar water, with a one-week washout period between interventions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Flavanol

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Natural cocoa powder containing 710 mg of flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Placebo

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Alkalized cocoa powder containing no flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Sugar water

Intervention Type OTHER

250 mL of hot water with 6 g of sugar

Flavanol/Baseline/Placebo

Participants consumed a natural cocoa beverage containing 710 mg of flavanols, sugar water, and an alkalized cocoa beverage, with a one-week washout period between interventions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Flavanol

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Natural cocoa powder containing 710 mg of flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Placebo

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Alkalized cocoa powder containing no flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Sugar water

Intervention Type OTHER

250 mL of hot water with 6 g of sugar

Flavanol/Placebo/Baseline

Participants consumed a natural cocoa beverage containing 710 mg of flavanols, an alkalized cocoa beverage, and sugar water, with a one-week washout period between interventions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Flavanol

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Natural cocoa powder containing 710 mg of flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Placebo

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Alkalized cocoa powder containing no flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Sugar water

Intervention Type OTHER

250 mL of hot water with 6 g of sugar

Interventions

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Flavanol

Natural cocoa powder containing 710 mg of flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo

Alkalized cocoa powder containing no flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Sugar water

250 mL of hot water with 6 g of sugar

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity

Exclusion Criteria

* History of neurological, psychiatric, cardiovascular or metabolic disorders
* Following a medically restricted diet
* Taking antidepressant, anxiolytic, and antipsychotic drugs in the past three months
* Currently taking anticoagulant
* Taking herbal supplements in the past week
* Allergic or intolerant to cocoa, caffeine, sucrose, or fructose
* Color blindness

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

30 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes