International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-78029102018101719581958ENNutrition and Metabolic Disease Research Center, & Department of Nutrition, School of Paramedicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, AhvazNutrition and Metabolic Disease Research Center, & Department of Nutrition, School of Paramedicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, AhvazNutrition and Metabolic Disease Research Center, & Department of Nutrition, School of Paramedicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, AhvazHyperlipidemia Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, AhvazDepartment of Biostatistics, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, AhvazHealth Research Institute, Diabetes Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medic20181015<p><strong>Background</strong>: An appropriate snack for patients with diabetes mellitus should be considered to help them in their treatment due to their hard administrative diet. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dark chocolate on inflammatory markers, serum <span class="fontstyle0">adiponectin, and certain biochemical factors in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).</span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: This study was a randomized parallel clinical trial. Thirty grams of 84% dark chocolate, along with therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLCs) guidelines, were administrated to patients with T2D. Control group received only TLC guidelines. The intervention <span class="fontstyle0">period was 8 weeks. Twenty‑one subjects in dark chocolate and 23 subjects in control group completed the study. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after the intervention period and inflammatory markers, biochemical factors, and adiponectin levels were assessed.</span></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: Fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1C, low‑density lipoprotein and triglyceride lev<span class="fontstyle0">els declined signifcantly in the dark chocolate group and this decrease was signifcant between the intervention and control groups. Tumor necrosis factor‑alpha, interleukin‑6, and high sensitive C‑reactive protein were signifcantly decreased in the dark chocolate group. Adiponectin levels were not signifcantly different between the two groups.</span></span></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><span class="fontstyle0"><span class="fontstyle0"><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">In this study subjects who received dark chocolate along with TLC guidelines had lower levels of inflammatory markers such as hs‑CRP, TNF‑α, and IL‑6, compared with the subjects who were devoid of dark chocolate and followed only the TLC guidelines. Other studies should be conducted to evaluate the most effective and administrative dosage of dark chocolate as a snack along with the common treatment of diabetes.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><span class="fontstyle0"><span class="fontstyle0"><span class="fontstyle2"><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Adiponectin, chocolate, diabetes mellitus type 2, inflammation mediators</span> <br style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /></span></span></span></span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1958http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1958/717717780