Effects of Chocolates With Different Cocoa Content on Postprandial Blood Glucose in Healthy Adults

NCT07855744 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BAP-24-1003-015
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study evaluated how chocolates with different cocoa contents affect blood glucose levels after consumption in healthy adults. Sixty healthy adults aged 18-35 years were randomly assigned to one of six groups: a control group or groups receiving chocolate containing 55%, 60%, 72%, 80%, or 90% cocoa. All participants consumed a standardized meal. Participants in the intervention groups then consumed 40 g of their assigned chocolate. Blood glucose was measured before chocolate consumption and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes afterward. The study aimed to compare postprandial blood glucose responses among chocolates with different cocoa contents.

Conditions

Postprandial Glycemic Response

Keywords

Chocolate; Cocoa; Blood Glucose; Postprandial Glycemia; Cocoa Content

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Postprandial Blood Glucose Levels

  Blood glucose levels were measured using a glucometer before chocolate consumption (0 minutes) and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after consumption. Blood glucose levels were compared across the control group and the five chocolate groups containing 55%, 60%, 72%, 80%, and 90% cocoa.

  0, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after chocolate consumption

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Peak Blood Glucose

  During the 0-120-minute postprandial period

Study Arms (6)

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants consumed the standardized meal but did not receive chocolate. Blood glucose levels were measured at the same time points as in the intervention groups over the 120-minute follow-up period.

55% Cocoa Chocolate Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants consumed a standardized meal followed 30 minutes later by a single 40-g serving of commercially available chocolate containing 55% cocoa. Blood glucose levels were measured before chocolate consumption (0 minutes) and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after consumption.

Other: 55% Cocoa Chocolate

60% Cocoa Chocolate Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants consumed a standardized meal followed 30 minutes later by a single 40-g serving of commercially available chocolate containing 60% cocoa. Blood glucose levels were measured before chocolate consumption (0 minutes) and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after consumption.

Other: 60% Cocoa Chocolate

72% Cocoa Chocolate Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants consumed a standardized meal followed 30 minutes later by a single 40-g serving of commercially available chocolate containing 72% cocoa. Blood glucose levels were measured before chocolate consumption (0 minutes) and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after consumption.

Other: 72% Cocoa Chocolate

80% Cocoa Chocolate Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants consumed a standardized meal followed 30 minutes later by a single 40-g serving of commercially available chocolate containing 80% cocoa. Blood glucose levels were measured before chocolate consumption (0 minutes) and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after consumption.

Other: 80% Cocoa Chocolate

90% Cocoa Chocolate Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants consumed a standardized meal followed 30 minutes later by a single 40-g serving of commercially available chocolate containing 90% cocoa. Blood glucose levels were measured before chocolate consumption (0 minutes) and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after consumption.

Other: 90% Cocoa Chocolate

Interventions

55% Cocoa Chocolate OTHER

A single 40-g serving of commercially available chocolate containing 55% cocoa was consumed 30 minutes after the standardized meal.

55% Cocoa Chocolate Group

60% Cocoa Chocolate OTHER

A single 40-g serving of commercially available chocolate containing 60% cocoa was consumed 30 minutes after the standardized meal.

60% Cocoa Chocolate Group

72% Cocoa Chocolate OTHER

A single 40-g serving of commercially available chocolate containing 72% cocoa was consumed 30 minutes after the standardized meal.

72% Cocoa Chocolate Group

80% Cocoa Chocolate OTHER

A single 40-g serving of commercially available chocolate containing 80% cocoa was consumed 30 minutes after the standardized meal.

80% Cocoa Chocolate Group

90% Cocoa Chocolate OTHER

A single 40-g serving of commercially available chocolate containing 90% cocoa was consumed 30 minutes after the standardized meal.

90% Cocoa Chocolate Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-35 years No acute or chronic disease No regular medication use Not currently following a weight-loss diet Not menstruating at the time of the study procedures Willing to participate and providing informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of bariatric surgery Acute or chronic digestive or absorption disorders Tobacco or alcohol use Food allergy or intolerance Use of dietary supplements Professional athlete status or excessive physical activity Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University

Balıkesir, Bandırma, 10200, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants assigned to the chocolate intervention groups were unaware of the cocoa content of the chocolate they received, and the researcher performing the blood glucose measurements was blinded to the cocoa content. Participants assigned to the control group were aware that they did not receive chocolate.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 28, 2026
• First Posted: October 2, 2026
• Study Start: March 20, 2023
• Primary Completion: March 20, 2025
• Study Completion: September 20, 2026
• Last Updated: October 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)