Ingestion of dark chocolate & SCUBA. Man, chocolate makes about everything better.+

[DocVikingo]

"Diving Hyperb Med.2015 Mar;45(1):4-9.

The effect of pre-dive ingestion of dark chocolate on endothelial function after a scuba dive.

Theunissen S1, Balestra C2, Boutros A3, De Bels D4, Guerrero F5, Germonpré P6.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the study was to observe the effects of dark chocolate on endothelial function after scuba diving.

METHODS:

Forty-two male scuba divers were divided into two groups: a control (n = 21) and a chocolate group (n = 21). They performed a 33-metres deep scuba-air dive for 20 minutes in a diving pool (Nemo 33, Brussels). Water temperature was 33⁰C. The chocolate group ingested 30 g of dark chocolate (86% cocoa) 90 minutes before the dive. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), digital photoplethysmography and nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrites (ONOO-) levels were measured before and after the scuba dive in both groups.
RESULTS:

A significant decrease in FMD was observed in the control group after the dive (91 ± 7% (mean ± 95% confidence interval) of pre-dive values; P < 0.001) while it was increased in the chocolate group (105 ± 5% of pre-dive values; P < 0.001). No difference in digital photoplethysmography was observed between before and after the dives. No variation of circulating NO level was observed in the control group whereas an increase was shown in the chocolate group (154 ± 73% of pre-dive values; P = 0.04). A significant reduction in ONOO- was observed in the control group (84 ± 12% of pre-dive values; P = 0.003) whereas no variation was shown after the dive with chocolate intake (100 ± 28% of pre-dive values; ns).

CONCLUSIONS:

Ingestion of 30 g of dark chocolate 90 minutes before scuba diving prevented post-dive endothelial dysfunction, as the antioxidants contained in dark chocolate probably scavenge free radicals."

Cheers,

DocVikingo​

 

[JohnN]

"Diving Hyperb Med.2015 Mar;45(1):4-9.

The effect of pre-dive ingestion of dark chocolate on endothelial function after a scuba dive.

Theunissen S1, Balestra C2, Boutros A3, De Bels D4, Guerrero F5, Germonpré P6.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the study was to observe the effects of dark chocolate on endothelial function after scuba diving.

METHODS:

Forty-two male scuba divers were divided into two groups: a control (n = 21) and a chocolate group (n = 21). They performed a 33-metres deep scuba-air dive for 20 minutes in a diving pool (Nemo 33, Brussels). Water temperature was 33&#8304;C. The chocolate group ingested 30 g of dark chocolate (86% cocoa) 90 minutes before the dive. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), digital photoplethysmography and nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrites (ONOO-) levels were measured before and after the scuba dive in both groups.
RESULTS:

A significant decrease in FMD was observed in the control group after the dive (91 ± 7% (mean ± 95% confidence interval) of pre-dive values; P < 0.001) while it was increased in the chocolate group (105 ± 5% of pre-dive values; P < 0.001). No difference in digital photoplethysmography was observed between before and after the dives. No variation of circulating NO level was observed in the control group whereas an increase was shown in the chocolate group (154 ± 73% of pre-dive values; P = 0.04). A significant reduction in ONOO- was observed in the control group (84 ± 12% of pre-dive values; P = 0.003) whereas no variation was shown after the dive with chocolate intake (100 ± 28% of pre-dive values; ns).

CONCLUSIONS:

Ingestion of 30 g of dark chocolate 90 minutes before scuba diving prevented post-dive endothelial dysfunction, as the antioxidants contained in dark chocolate probably scavenge free radicals."

Cheers,

DocVikingo​

And DAN says:

The FMD is a test that uses the ultrasound Doppler method to measure the diameter of brachial artery (the main artery in the upper arm) before and after a five-minute forearm ischemia caused by external compression with a blood pressure measurement cuff. The average diameter of the brachial artery in adults is about four to five millimeters. After the five minutes of circulation occlusion, the flow through the artery increases and the artery diameter increases for about seven to 10 percent of its initial value. This is called the flow mediated dilatation &#8211; FMD.

---- stuff omitted----

Having a bite of chocolate or large dose of vitamin C one hour before a dive may prevent the FMD decrease. However, the transient decrease of FMD described so far is not an injury and prevention is not necessary, regardless of how tempting the chocolate is.

 

[redacted]

"Diving Hyperb Med.2015 Mar;45(1):4-9.

The effect of pre-dive ingestion of dark chocolate on endothelial function after a scuba dive.

Theunissen S1, Balestra C2, Boutros A3, De Bels D4, Guerrero F5, Germonpré P6.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the study was to observe the effects of dark chocolate on endothelial function after scuba diving.

METHODS:

Forty-two male scuba divers were divided into two groups: a control (n = 21) and a chocolate group (n = 21). They performed a 33-metres deep scuba-air dive for 20 minutes in a diving pool (Nemo 33, Brussels). Water temperature was 33&#8304;C. The chocolate group ingested 30 g of dark chocolate (86% cocoa) 90 minutes before the dive. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), digital photoplethysmography and nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrites (ONOO-) levels were measured before and after the scuba dive in both groups.
RESULTS:

A significant decrease in FMD was observed in the control group after the dive (91 ± 7% (mean ± 95% confidence interval) of pre-dive values; P < 0.001) while it was increased in the chocolate group (105 ± 5% of pre-dive values; P < 0.001). No difference in digital photoplethysmography was observed between before and after the dives. No variation of circulating NO level was observed in the control group whereas an increase was shown in the chocolate group (154 ± 73% of pre-dive values; P = 0.04). A significant reduction in ONOO- was observed in the control group (84 ± 12% of pre-dive values; P = 0.003) whereas no variation was shown after the dive with chocolate intake (100 ± 28% of pre-dive values; ns).

CONCLUSIONS:

Ingestion of 30 g of dark chocolate 90 minutes before scuba diving prevented post-dive endothelial dysfunction, as the antioxidants contained in dark chocolate probably scavenge free radicals."

Cheers,

DocVikingo
​

I applaud anything that justifies my consumption of dark chocolate and it took a bit of work to understand we were talking about blood flow, but I do have one question: Who payed for this?

Warning: PWI

 

[DocVikingo]

I applaud anything that justifies my consumption of dark chocolate and it took a bit of work to understand we were talking about blood flow, but I do have one question: Who payed for this?

That totally cracks me up, awap. That was my 1st thought when I read the title. Where is the money for the really important questions?

Cheers,

DocV

 

[The Laconic]

Are there any studies on the effects of post-dive beers? If not, I am available as a test subject.

 

[Subcooled]

Without "irrelevant" research we would still be picking fruit, and not having things like fire or electricity.
Keep producing these results.

 

[redacted]

Without "irrelevant" research we would still be picking fruit, and not having things like fire or electricity.
Keep producing these results.

Yeah, I guess even the A-bomb started out with some 6.1 seed money.

 

[The Laconic]

Without "irrelevant" research we would still be picking fruit, and not having things like fire or electricity.
Keep producing these results.

Which will likely turn out to be overturned by the next researchers that look into it, if any.

 

[seaseadee]

Two things come to mind:
1. I Fooled Millions Into Thinking Chocolate Helps Weight Loss. Here&#39;s How.
2. Why such a small sample size? 42 divers hardly maketh a study.

 

[redacted]

Two things come to mind:
1. I Fooled Millions Into Thinking Chocolate Helps Weight Loss. Here's How.
2. Why such a small sample size? 42 divers hardly maketh a study.

With such a dominant effect (P<.0001), 42 turned out to be overkill.