Cardiovascular Health During Prolonged SittingCHOC-SITNCT07556627
Effect of Chocolate Consumption Prior to Prolonged Sitting on Cardiovascular Health in Young Women
A study testing dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate in people with Cardiovascular Health During Prolonged Sitting, run by King Saud University at 1 site in Saudi Arabia.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled crossover trial investigates the acute effects of consuming dark, milk, and white chocolate before prolonged sitting on cardiovascular health in healthy young women . Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cardiovascular Health During Prolonged Sitting
- What is being tested?
- dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 22 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSaudi Arabia
- Study dates
- 4 Apr 2026to Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy young aged 18 - 40 years.
- Participants with blood pressure within the normal or elevated range (less than 130/80 mmHg), according to the American Heart Association guidelines.
Who cannot join
- Females with menopause will be excluded due to the physiological effects of menopause and to ensure hormonal stability.
- Participants with nut allergies, due to the possibility that the chocolate used may contain traces of nuts resulting from manufacturing processes.
- Participants with dairy allergies, due to the use of milk chocolate and white chocolate, and the possibility that dark chocolate may contain traces of milk resulting from manufacturing processes .
- Participants with chronic diseases that may affect the study variables, such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, or any medical condition that affects circulation.
- Participants using medications that may affect the targeted physiological measurements in the study, such as antihypertensive medications, antidiabetic medications, or drugs affecting the autonomic nervous system.
- Participants with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m², due to the association between obesity and vascular dysfunction, characterized by increased blood pressure and arterial stiffness, which may lead to variability in vascular responses.
Show all 10Show fewer
- Participants who are physically active (≥150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity), to avoid the impact of high levels of training on vascular responses.
- Smokers, due to the chronic effects of smoking on endothelial function and arterial stiffness.
- Participants with back injuries that limit their ability to sit continuously for three hours.
- Female participants who are pregnant, breastfeeding, due to the associated hormonal changes that may influence the physiological indicators measured in the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Saudi Arabia1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Exercise Physiology Laboratory, King Saud University
Riyadh, Riyadh Region, 11451
RazanSami Alahmadi, 0551988757
About this study
Official title: Effects of Dark, Milk, and White Chocolate Consumption Prior to Prolonged Sitting on Cardiovascular Health in Young Women : A Randomized Crossover Trial
This randomized controlled crossover trial investigates the acute effects of consuming dark, milk, and white chocolate before prolonged sitting on cardiovascular health in healthy young women . Each participant completes three separate study visits and receives all three chocolate conditions in a randomized order, with a 7-day washout period between visits. Blood pressure, heart rate, pulse wave velocity, blood glucose, appetite, pain, and calf circumference are measured before and during a 3-hour sitting perio
Read the detailed description
Prolonged sitting is associated with acute adverse changes in vascular and metabolic health. Cocoa-rich chocolate contains bioactive compounds that may influence vascular responses; however, the effects of different chocolate types consumed before prolonged sitting are not fully understood.
This study is a randomized controlled crossover trial in healthy young women. Each participant completes three experimental visits and receives all three chocolate conditions (dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate) in a randomized sequence determined before enrollment. A 7-day washout period is maintained between visits to minimize carryover effects.
At each visit, baseline measurements are obtained before chocolate consumption. Participants then consume the assigned chocolate condition, followed by post-consumption assessments and a standardized 3-hour sitting period. Repeated measurements are collected throughout the sitting period.
Outcome measures include blood pressure, heart rate, pulse wave velocity, capillary blood glucose, appetite visual analogue scale(VAS), pain visual analogue scale(VAS), and calf circumference. The study aims to compare acute physiological responses among the three chocolate conditions before prolonged sitting.
- Being tested
- dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate
- Keywords
- Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate, Prolonged Sitting, Blood Pressure, Pulse Wave Velocity, Heart Rate Variability
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
dark chocolateDietary supplement
Participants consume dark chocolate 1 hour before prolonged sitting.
Milk ChocolateDietary supplement
Participants consume milk chocolate 1 hour before prolonged sitting.
White ChocolateDietary supplement
Participants consume white chocolate 1 hour before prolonged sitting.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Label: Dark Chocolate | Experimental | Participants receive dark chocolate prior to prolonged sitting. Receives: Dietary Supplement: dark chocolate |
| Label: Milk Chocolate | Experimental | Participants receive milk chocolate prior to prolonged sitting. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Milk Chocolate |
| Label: White Chocolate | Experimental | Participants receive white chocolate prior to prolonged sitting. Receives: Dietary Supplement: White Chocolate |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Blood Pressure (Systolic, Diastolic, Mean Arterial Pressure)
Blood pressure will be measured using an automated sphygmomanometer under each chocolate condition (dark, milk, white).
Measured: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Pulse Wave Velocity
Arterial stiffness will be assessed using estimated pulse wave velocity under each chocolate condition.
Measured: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Heart Rate Variability
Autonomic cardiac function will be assessed using heart rate variability derived from RR interval recordings under each chocolate condition.
Measured: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Heart Rate
Heart rate will be measured under each chocolate condition during the study visits.
Measured: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting.
Secondary outcomes (4)
Capillary Blood Glucose
Capillary blood glucose will be measured using finger-prick blood samples under each chocolate condition.
Measured: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Appetite Visual Analog Scale
Subjective appetite sensations, including hunger, satiety, fullness, and prospective food consumption, will be assessed using 100-mm Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), ranging from 0 to 100 mm. Higher scores indicate a greater intensity of the appetite sensation being assessed.
Measured: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Pain Visual Analog Scale
Pain will be assessed using a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 mm ("no pain") to 100 mm ("worst pain imaginable"). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity (a worse outcome).
Measured: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Calf Circumference
Calf circumference will be measured to assess lower limb swelling during prolonged sitting.
Measured: Baseline and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Apr 2026
- Study start4 Apr 2026
- Primary completionOct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cardiovascular Health During Prolonged SittingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- Each participant receives all three chocolate conditions (dark, milk, and white chocolate) in randomized order across three separate visits with a 7-day washout period between visits.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 22 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- King Saud University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Razan Sami Alahmadi, King Saud University
- Investigators
- Abdullah B Alansare, PhD, Study director, King Saud University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07556627
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E-25-10441
- Acronym
- CHOC-SIT
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Data sharing plans have not yet been finalized and will be determined after study completion in consultation with the investigators and institutional policies.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Dark, Milk, and White Chocolate Consumption Prior to Prolonged Sitting on Cardiovascular Health in Young Women : A Randomized Crossover Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07556627
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CHOC-SIT / E-25-10441
- Keywords
- Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate, Prolonged Sitting, Blood Pressure, Pulse Wave Velocity, Heart Rate Variability
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 22 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- King Saud UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 29 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled crossover trial investigates the acute effects of consuming dark, milk, and white chocolate before prolonged sitting on cardiovascular health in healthy young women . Each participant completes three separate study visits and receives all three chocolate conditions in a randomized order, with a 7-day washout period between visits. Blood pressure, heart rate, pulse wave velocity, blood glucose, appetite, pain, and calf circumference are measured before and during a 3-hour sitting perio
Detailed description
Prolonged sitting is associated with acute adverse changes in vascular and metabolic health. Cocoa-rich chocolate contains bioactive compounds that may influence vascular responses; however, the effects of different chocolate types consumed before prolonged sitting are not fully understood.
This study is a randomized controlled crossover trial in healthy young women. Each participant completes three experimental visits and receives all three chocolate conditions (dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate) in a randomized sequence determined before enrollment. A 7-day washout period is maintained between visits to minimize carryover effects.
At each visit, baseline measurements are obtained before chocolate consumption. Participants then consume the assigned chocolate condition, followed by post-consumption assessments and a standardized 3-hour sitting period. Repeated measurements are collected throughout the sitting period.
Outcome measures include blood pressure, heart rate, pulse wave velocity, capillary blood glucose, appetite visual analogue scale(VAS), pain visual analogue scale(VAS), and calf circumference. The study aims to compare acute physiological responses among the three chocolate conditions before prolonged sitting.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Each participant receives all three chocolate conditions (dark, milk, and white chocolate) in randomized order across three separate visits with a 7-day washout period between visits.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Label: Dark Chocolate | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: dark chocolateParticipants receive dark chocolate prior to prolonged sitting. |
| Label: Milk Chocolate | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Milk ChocolateParticipants receive milk chocolate prior to prolonged sitting. |
| Label: White Chocolate | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: White ChocolateParticipants receive white chocolate prior to prolonged sitting. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Healthy young aged 18 - 40 years.
- Participants with blood pressure within the normal or elevated range (less than 130/80 mmHg), according to the American Heart Association guidelines.
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Females with menopause will be excluded due to the physiological effects of menopause and to ensure hormonal stability.
- Participants with nut allergies, due to the possibility that the chocolate used may contain traces of nuts resulting from manufacturing processes.
- Participants with dairy allergies, due to the use of milk chocolate and white chocolate, and the possibility that dark chocolate may contain traces of milk resulting from manufacturing processes .
- Participants with chronic diseases that may affect the study variables, such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, or any medical condition that affects circulation.
- Participants using medications that may affect the targeted physiological measurements in the study, such as antihypertensive medications, antidiabetic medications, or drugs affecting the autonomic nervous system.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| dark chocolateParticipants consume dark chocolate 1 hour before prolonged sitting. | Dietary supplement | Label: Dark Chocolate |
| Milk ChocolateParticipants consume milk chocolate 1 hour before prolonged sitting. | Dietary supplement | Label: Milk Chocolate |
| White ChocolateParticipants consume white chocolate 1 hour before prolonged sitting. | Dietary supplement | Label: White Chocolate |
Primary outcome
Blood Pressure (Systolic, Diastolic, Mean Arterial Pressure)
Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Blood pressure will be measured using an automated sphygmomanometer under each chocolate condition (dark, milk, white).
Pulse Wave Velocity
Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Arterial stiffness will be assessed using estimated pulse wave velocity under each chocolate condition.
Heart Rate Variability
Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Autonomic cardiac function will be assessed using heart rate variability derived from RR interval recordings under each chocolate condition.
Heart Rate
Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting.
Heart rate will be measured under each chocolate condition during the study visits.
4 secondary outcomes
Capillary Blood Glucose
Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Appetite Visual Analog Scale
Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Pain Visual Analog Scale
Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Calf Circumference
Time frame: Baseline and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. Data sharing plans have not yet been finalized and will be determined after study completion in consultation with the investigators and institutional policies.
Related trials for Cardiovascular Health During Prolonged Sitting
Not yet recruiting
Effects of Coffee Versus Hibiscus Tea Consumption During Prolonged Sitting on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
Hypertension
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Abdullah B Alansare, PhD study director
King Saud University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate in people with Cardiovascular Health During Prolonged Sitting, run by King Saud University at 1 site in Saudi Arabia.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Saudi Arabia. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Razan S Alahmadi, MSc Candidate (+966151988757, rssarhan@ksu.edu.sa), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Blood Pressure (Systolic, Diastolic, Mean Arterial Pressure) (time frame: Baseline, 1 hour post-chocolate, and hourly during 3 hours of prolonged sitting). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Oct 2026.