The Impact Of Goode Health Superfood Chocolate Blend Beverage On Lipid Profile And Vascular Health

PURPOSE: Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides and reduced peripheral vascular health contribute to increased risk for cardiovascular (CVD) and metabolic disease and elevated oxidative stress and/or inflammation contribute. Diets and/or interventions high in antioxidants, polyphenols, and anti-inflammatory properties are documented in both clinical and epidemiological studies to reduce CVD and metabolic disease risk. This study tested the hypothesis that daily consumption of a beverage high in antioxidants, polyphenols, and anti-inflammatory properties would improve blood lipid profile and well-validated indices of peripheral vascular function METHODS: Six individuals (4 males; age: 42 ± 14 yr.; BMI 32 ± 7 kg/m2) participated in this preliminary dataset. Measures were assessed before (pre) and 2 & 6-weeks following (post) consumption of the Goode Health LLC Superfood Moroccan Chocolate Blend in which ~28 g of the blend powder was added to 8 oz water twice daily. This beverage is high in plant-based proteins, prebiotic fiber, antioxidant polyphenols, and anti-inflammatory properties. Blood was collected via venipuncture and was analyzed for basal lipid profile. Peripheral macro and microvascular function/health were assessed as vasodilation in the brachial artery (flow mediated vasodilation; %FMD) and reactive hyperemia (peak mean forearm blood velocity (FBVmean)) in the forearm vasculature respectively following 5-min of forearm ischemia. RESULTS: Lipid profile was improved following 2-weeks of Goode Health LLC beverage consumption (Total-C, Pre: 182 ± 30 vs. Post: 155 ± 30 mg/dl, P = 0.10; VLDL, Pre: 14 ± 5 vs. Post: 12 ± 4 mg/dl, P = 0.08; LDL Pre: 121 ± 24 vs. Post: 98 ± 25 mg/dl, P = 0.13; TG Pre: 77 ± 30 vs. Post: 58 ± 26 mg/dl, P = 0.01). %FMD tended to be augmented at 2-weeks (Pre: 4.2 ± 2.2 vs. Post: 5.8 ± 1.6%, P = 0.08) and 6-weeks (Post: 7.2 ± 0.4%, P = 0.06 compared to Pre) of beverage consumption. FBVmean was or tended to be augmented following beverage consumption (2-weeks Pre: 70 ± 17 vs. Post: 78 ± 20 cm·s-1, P = 0.04; 6-weeks Post: 89 ± 22 cm·s-1, P = 0.06 compared to Pre). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data indicate a positive effect of Goode Health LLC Superfood Moroccan Chocolate Blend on indices of lipid profile and vascular function/health. Future studies will expand these findings in a larger cohort. Goode Health LLC