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Cocoa flavanols reduce N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with chronic heart failure

Rodney De Palma1, Imelda Sotto1, Elizabeth G Wood2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, The London Chest Hospital Barts Health NHS Trust Bonner Road London E2 9JX UK.

ESC Heart Failure
|September 3, 2016
PubMed

Insights

High-flavanol dark chocolate significantly reduced NT-proBNP levels and blood pressure in chronic heart failure patients. This suggests a potential therapeutic benefit of cocoa flavanols for improving cardiac function.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Chronic heart failure (HF) is associated with poor prognosis and endothelial dysfunction.
  • Current treatments for endothelial dysfunction in HF are limited.
  • Cocoa flavanols have demonstrated improvements in endothelial function in previous studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of high-dose cocoa flavanols in patients with chronic heart failure.
  • To assess the impact of cocoa flavanols on cardiac function using N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as a biomarker.
  • To determine if high-flavanol dark chocolate (HFDC) can improve cardiovascular markers in chronic HF.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized crossover study involving 32 patients with chronic heart failure.
  • Participants consumed either high-flavanol dark chocolate (HFDC) or low-flavanol dark chocolate (LFDC) daily for 4 weeks, followed by a crossover period.
  • NT-proBNP levels and blood pressure were measured to assess cardiac function and vascular effects.

Main Results:

  • Consumption of HFDC led to a significant reduction in NT-proBNP levels compared to baseline and LFDC.
  • HFDC intake resulted in a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure compared to LFDC.
  • Twenty-four patients completed the study, with HFDC showing a mean NT-proBNP decrease of -44% and a diastolic blood pressure reduction of -6.7 mmHg.

Conclusions:

  • High-flavanol dark chocolate consumption reduced blood pressure and NT-proBNP levels in chronic heart failure patients.
  • These findings suggest decreased vascular resistance and reduced left ventricular afterload.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the clinical benefits of HFDC in chronic heart failure management.
Abstract

Keywords:
Endothelial dysfunctionFlavanolHeart failureProcyanidin

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