Dark chocolate polyphenol intake is an efficient predictor of metabolic syndrome: the ATTICA study

Background/Aims: There is increasing interest and evidence that there is a potential favourable association between the daily consumption of dark chocolate and cardio-metabolic risk. However, this association has not been evaluated for its predictive ability. The aim of this analysis is to assess the role of dark chocolate consumption in predicting the presence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Methods: During 2001-2002, 1514 men and 1528 women (age >18 years) without any clinical evidence chronic disease (including CVD), living in greater Athens area, Greece, were enrolled (ATTICA study). MetS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment panel III (revised NCEP) Chocolate intake was assessed with a valid FFQ. Results: Daily dark chocolate polyphenols intake was a significant diagnostic tool for the presence of MetS, (AUC = 0.420, p = 0.001). Additionally, for every 25 mg increase in the daily intake of dark chocolate polyphenols, the odds ratio of MetS presence decreased by 8% (Odds Ratio = 0.992, 95%CI: 0.988, 0.996) Conclusions: Daily dark chocolate polyphenols consumption appears to be associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome. Further studies are required to examine the mechanisms through which dark chocolate mitigates the risk of developing MetS.