Cocoa modulates cardiovascular remodeling and metabolism of female and male Wistar rats subjected to early weaning

Breastfeeding is crucial for infants, and early weaning (EW) increases the risk of cardiovascular (CV) and metabolic diseases later in life. Thus, we investigated the impact of cocoa supplementation on these parameters in rats subjected to EW. Female and male Wistar rats weaned on postnatal day 21 (PND21, C) or PND18 (EW) received a standard chow diet (SC) or SC supplemented with 10% cocoa powder (Co) from PND0 to PND90. EW affected food intake, body mass, body composition, blood glucose, blood lipids, and heart’s left ventricle dimensions, and cocoa consumption improved most of these parameters with sexual dimorphism. The study highlights cocoa's potential as a non-pharmacological strategy to mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with EW.