A Pilot Study: Parent Perceptions of Behavior Change in Their Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder Following High Antioxidant Cacao Consumption
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Insights
High antioxidant cacao consumption improved behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This pilot study found significant reductions in irritability, social withdrawal, and hyperactivity, suggesting cacao as a potential adjunct therapy for ASD symptom management.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communication deficits and maladaptive behaviors.
- Children with ASD often exhibit elevated oxidative stress, a condition linked to the disorder's pathogenesis.
- This study investigated the potential of high-antioxidant cacao as an intervention for ASD-related behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and effects of daily high-antioxidant cacao consumption on behavioral outcomes in children with ASD.
- To explore the role of oxidative stress in ASD and its modulation through dietary antioxidants.
Main Methods:
- A 4-week repeated measures pilot study involving children with ASD.
- Participants consumed 16g of 70% cacao dark chocolate daily.
- Behavioral assessments included the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC-2) and Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS), administered at baseline, week 2, and week 4.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in multiple ABC-2 subscales, including irritability, social withdrawal, stereotypic behavior, hyperactivity/noncompliance, and inappropriate speech.
- The Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS) showed significant improvements in social/communication, unusual behaviors, self-regulation, and overall scores.
- The study included 16 participants (12 males, 4 females) aged 4-17 years.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the use of antioxidant-rich foods, like cacao, as an adjunctive therapy for improving behaviors in children with ASD.
- Further rigorous randomized controlled trials are recommended to confirm and expand upon these preliminary results.
Background:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurocognitive disorder with primary symptomology related to maladaptive behaviors and communication deficits. Children with ASD tend to have higher free radicals than antioxidants compared with their matched controls. This disequilibrium of oxidative stress has been associated with the pathogenesis of this neurocognitive disorder. The aim of this pilot feasibility study was to examine the effect of high antioxidant cacao consumption on behavior in children with ASD.
Methods:
This was a 4-wk repeated measures experimental pilot study of high antioxidant cacao and children with ASD. Participants consumed 8 squares (or 16 g) per day of the dark chocolate that had a concentration of 70% cacao and 30% organic cane sugar (total antioxidant activity was 8320 μmoles TE/100 g). The 2 main behavioral measures, Aberrant Behavior Checklist, 2nd ed (ABC-2) and the Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS), were completed by the child's parent at baseline, end of week 2, and end of week 4.
Results:
Seventeen participants were recruited for this study. Follow-up data were available for 16 participants (12 males, 4 females, aged 4 to 17 y). Significant improvements were noted on the ABC-2 subscales of irritability (P = .03, η2= 0.25), social withdrawal (P = .01, η2= 0.29), stereotypic behavior (P = .05, η2 = 0.13), hyperactivity/noncompliance (P = .04, η2 = 0.20), and inappropriate speech (P = .05, η2 = 0.16). Significant improvements were noted on the ASRS subscales of social/communication (P = .04, η2 = 0.25), unusual behaviors (P = .003, η2= 0.20), self-regulation (P = .02, η2= 0.32), and total scores (P < .001, η2= 0.54).
Conclusion:
Results from this study support previous literature on antioxidant intake as an adjunct therapy to improve behaviors of children with ASD. More robust randomized controlled trials are now necessary to validate and elaborate on these findings.
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