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Theobromine consumption does not improve fasting and postprandial vascular function in overweight and obese subjects

Lotte Smolders1, Ronald P Mensink1, Jose J van den Driessche1

  • 1Department of Human Biology and Movement Sciences, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Universiteitssingel 50, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

European Journal of Nutrition
|January 14, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Theobromine from cocoa did not improve fasting or postprandial vascular function in overweight adults. While it increased postprandial arterial diameter, it did not support cocoa's cardioprotective effects.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Nutritional Science
  • Vascular Physiology

Background:

  • Theobromine, a cocoa component, may influence cardiovascular risk markers.
  • Its impact on vascular function, including flow-mediated dilation (FMD), remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effects of 4-week theobromine supplementation (500 mg/day) on vascular function markers.
  • Evaluate changes in both fasting and postprandial states.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, crossover study involving 44 overweight/obese adults with low HDL-C.
  • Measurements included FMD, PAT, AIx, PWV, BP, and retinal microvasculature, under fasting and postprandial conditions.

Main Results:

  • Theobromine did not alter fasting vascular function, except for a decrease in central augmentation index (cAIx).
  • Postprandial high-fat meal challenge negatively impacted FMD, RHI, and blood pressure.
  • Theobromine did not modify these postprandial responses but increased brachial artery diameter and decreased AIx postprandially.

Conclusions:

  • Theobromine supplementation did not enhance fasting or postprandial endothelial function.
  • Findings suggest theobromine alone may not confer the cardioprotective benefits associated with cocoa consumption.
Abstract

Keywords:
Arterial stiffnessEndothelial functionMicrovasculaturePostprandialTheobromine

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