Chocolate Consumption in Healthy Pregnant Women Trial

Assessment of Blood Pressure and Endothelial Function Pregnancy After Acute and Daily Consumption Flavanol-rich Chocolate Among Healthy Pregnant Women: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to to test the feasibility of design methods and procedures for later use on a larger scale and to examine the acute and chronic effect of consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate on endothelium function and blood pressure in healthy pregnant women.

Inclusion Criteria:

• non-smoking normotensive women aged from 18 to 35 years, between the 7 and 12 weeks of gestation (documented by ultrasound) and having a live fetus confirmed by fetal heart auscultation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with family history of premature cardiovascular disease
• Chronic hypertension
• Currently or previously use of medications interfering with glucose or lipids metabolism.
• Use of supplements or natural health products that interfere with blood pressure.
• Consumption of 1 or more alcohol drink per day.
• Allergy or intolerance to nuts or chocolate.