How dark, milk, and white chocolate affect cardiovascular responses during long periods of sitting

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, crossover trial in which each participant attends three visits and consumes dark, milk, or white chocolate in a randomized order with a 7-day washout between visits. Baseline measures are taken, participants eat the assigned chocolate, and repeated measurements are collected during a standardized 3-hour seated period. Outcomes include blood pressure, heart rate, pulse wave velocity, capillary blood glucose, appetite and pain visual analogue scales, and calf circumference. The within-subject design compares acute physiological responses to the three chocolate types in otherwise healthy young adults.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy young aged 18 - 40 years.
* Participants with blood pressure within the normal or elevated range (less than 130/80 mmHg), according to the American Heart Association guidelines.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Females with menopause will be excluded due to the physiological effects of menopause and to ensure hormonal stability.
* Participants with nut allergies, due to the possibility that the chocolate used may contain traces of nuts resulting from manufacturing processes.
* Participants with dairy allergies, due to the use of milk chocolate and white chocolate, and the possibility that dark chocolate may contain traces of milk resulting from manufacturing processes .
* Participants with chronic diseases that may affect the study variables, such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, or any medical condition that affects circulation.
* Participants using medications that may affect the targeted physiological measurements in the study, such as antihypertensive medications, antidiabetic medications, or drugs affecting the autonomic nervous system.
* Participants with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m², due to the association between obesity and vascular dysfunction, characterized by increased blood pressure and arterial stiffness, which may lead to variability in vascular responses.
* Participants who are physically active (≥150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity), to avoid the impact of high levels of training on vascular responses.
* Smokers, due to the chronic effects of smoking on endothelial function and arterial stiffness.
* Participants with back injuries that limit their ability to sit continuously for three hours.
* Female participants who are pregnant, breastfeeding, due to the associated hormonal changes that may influence the physiological indicators measured in the study.

Where it's running

• Exercise Physiology Laboratory, King Saud University
  Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Razan S Alahmadi, MSc Candidate
• Email: rssarhan@ksu.edu.sa
• Phone: +966151988757

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.