Effects of cocoa consumption on cardiometabolic risk markers: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of dietary intake of cocoa on anthropometric measurements, lipid and glycemic profile, and blood pressure levels in adults with and without comorbidities. We searched the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, LILACS, and SciELO. Eligible studies included randomized clinical trials involving adults (aged ≥18y) undergoing a dietary intake intervention—cocoa extract supplement or ≥70% cocoa dark chocolate—for ≥4 weeks that evaluated at least one of the following markers: body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist/abdominal circumference; total cholesterol, LDL-c, triglycerides, and HDL-c; fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c); and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) levels.