CHOCOLATE!!!

A recent study out of Brazil and published in the Journal of of Renal Nutrition looked at the possible benefits of eating dark chocolate for individuals with kidney disease; and for those of you who love dark chocolate you should be very happy with the results! Below is the abstract from the study.

Magnesium (Mg2+) deficiency can be observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with increased inflammation, disease progression, and mortality. Dark chocolate is an excellent source of magnesium. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 70% cocoa chocolate intake on magnesium serum levels in patients with CKD on hemodialysis (HD).

The study included 59 patients undergoing HD. Patients were allocated into two groups: the chocolate group and the control group. The chocolate group received 40 grams of 70% cocoa chocolate for two months during HD sessions (3 times a week). The control group did not receive any intervention. Mg2+ was evaluated by a colorimetric test using a commercial kit (Bioclin®).

Thirty-five patients in the chocolate group (17 women, 53.4 ± 12.9 years) and 11 in the control group (4 women, 46.7 ± 10.9 years) completed the study. At the beginning of the study the median (interquartile range) overall Mg2+ serum levels were 2.4 (0.4) mg/dL, with no significant differences between the groups. After two months of supplementation, serum levels of Mg2+  increased significantly in the chocolate group from 2.5 (2.4˗2.6) to 2.7 (2.6˗2.8) mg/dL (p<0.01). No change was observed in potassium and phosphorus plasma levels.

So, the good news is that dark chocolate might be a promising nutritional strategy to improve Mg2+ levels in patients with CKD on HD! The offered dose was safe, not altering plasma phosphorus and potassium levels.

1. Short report: Influence of dark chocolate intake on magnesium status in hemodialysis patients

   Kemp, Julie Ann et al.

   Journal of Renal Nutrition, Volume 0, Issue 0