Association between chocolate consumption frequency and heart rate variability indices

Background: Previous studies have shown favorable effects of chocolate products on the cardiovascular system and reported an inverse relationship between chocolate consumption and adverse cardiac events; however, relationships between chocolate eating habits and heart rate variability have not yet been studied. The purpose of the present research was to determine the relationship, if any, between chocolate consumption frequency and heart rate variability. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 98 young females (19-21 years old). The study included the evaluation of chocolate eating habits by a questionnaire and heart rate variability parameters by Finometer and Powerlab as primary outcomes along with measuring anthropometry, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar levels as predictors to account for potential confounding. Results: Three chocolate eating patterns were distinguished: "No regular chocolate consumption (n:42), 2-4 servings/week (n:20), 5 or more servings/week (n:36)". An ANOVA test revealed insignificant differences (p > 0.05) in heart rate variability parameters (time domain: Heart rate, RRms, SDNN, RMSSD; frequency domain: LF, HF, LF/HF) and pressures (systolic, diastolic, pulse, mean arterial) among three groups of individuals having different chocolate eating habits. Relative frequency of chocolate intake did not correlate with any of the cardiovascular, time-domain or frequency-domain parameters of heart rate variability in study participants. Conclusion: Based on our results, we conclude that relative frequency of chocolate eating may not affect autonomic regulation of the heart in young females. Also, it may have no correlation with any of the cardiovascular, time-domain or frequency-domain parameters of heart rate variability. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.