The Acute Effect of Dark Chocolate on Blood Pressure and Renal Hemodynamics as Assessed With Doppler Ultrasound in Healthy Volunteers

Dark chocolate (DC) is rich in cocoa, a substance with antioxidative and antihypertensive properties. The effect of DC on renal hemodynamics is poorly understood. The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled study was to investigate whether DC induces changes in blood pressure (BP) and renal perfusion, as assessed with Doppler ultrasound – both at rest and during sympathetic stimulation – compared to cocoa-free white chocolate (WC).