Chocolate flavanols and skin photoprotection: a parallel, double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation has deleterious effects on the skin, including sunburn, photoaging and cancer. Chocolate flavanols are naturally-occurring antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules that could play a role in preventing cutaneous UV damage. We investigated the influence of 12-week high-flavanol chocolate (HFC) consumption on skin sensitivity to UV radiation, measured by minimal erythema dose (MED). We also evaluated skin elasticity and hydration.

Methods

In this 2-group, parallel, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 74 women aged 20-65 years and Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I or II were recruited from the general community in Quebec City, for randomization to either HFC (n = 33) or low-flavanol chocolate (LFC) (n = 41). A blocked randomisati

SUBMITTER: Mogollon JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4082621 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature