NCT06812689

The Acute Effects of Cocoa Flavanols Intake on Overt and Covert Attention

The Acute Effects of Cocoa Flavanols Intake on Overt and Covert Attention: a Randomized, Double-blind Crossover Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 48 (actual)
• Sponsor: Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 30 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The present study aimed to examine whether a cocoa beverage containing 710 mg of flavanols enhances both overt and covert attention in healthy young adults, using a randomized, double-blind, baseline- and placebo-controlled crossover design.

Detailed description

Cocoa flavanols (CF) have various physiological effects that may directly or indirectly enhance cognitive functions. Following CF intake, a series of biochemical processes within vascular smooth muscle cells lead to the relaxation of smooth muscles, the dilation of blood vessels, and an increase in cerebral blood flow. For the brain to function optimally, cerebral blood flow must be maintained at a level that ensures a constant supply of oxygen and glucose to neurons. During periods of intense neuronal activity, neurons require more oxygen and nutrients, which is met by an increase in blood flow. Given that CF has been shown to enhance blood flow and perfusion in brain regions associated with attention (e.g., the parietal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), it was hypothesized that CF intake could acutely improve both overt and covert attention.

Conditions

• Healthy Young Adults

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Flavanol	Natural cocoa powder containing 710 mg of flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Placebo	Alkalized cocoa powder containing no flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.
OTHER	Sugar water	250 mL of hot water with 6 g of sugar

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-11-26
• Primary completion: 2023-01-20
• Completion: 2023-01-20
• First posted: 2025-02-06
• Last updated: 2025-02-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)