Objective: This trial was undertaken to evaluate the effects of high-cocoa-content chocolate supplementation in pregnancy on several haematochemical and clinical parameters. The study had as reference population the pregnant women requesting an obstetric control at Outpatient Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the S. Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Perugia, Italy. Candidates who participated in this study were all Caucasian women aged 18-40 years, who had a single gestation pregnancy between 11th + 0 and 13th + 0 week gestational age.
Methods: We conducted a single-center randomized controlled trial. The pregnant women selected were randomized into Group A, which received daily doses of 30 g of chocolate (70% cocoa), and Group B, which was free to increase their diet with other foods.
Results: Ninety women were randomized. Significant difference was found between the two groups for diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.05), systolic (p < 0.0001) and levels of liver enzymes, with values lower in Group A than in Group B. Total cholesterol levels and weight gain in Group A did not increase more than in Group B.
Conclusions: A modest daily intake of high-cocoa-content chocolate contributes to reduce blood pressure, glycemic and liver pattern during pregnancy without affecting the weight gain.