Effect of Maternal Chocolate Consumption on Fetal Non-Stress Test (NST) Reactivity.
Effect of Maternal Consumption of Dark Chocolate on the Reactivity of the Fetal Non-Stress Test (NST): A Single-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras
190 participants
Feb 15, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This is a single-blind, randomized, parallel-group, superiority clinical trial. The study aims to determine whether a single intake of 30g of dark chocolate (≥80% cocoa) by pregnant women with a non-reactive fetal non-stress test (NST) increases the conversion rate to a reactive NST within 20 minutes, compared to observation with a sugar-free white chocolate placebo. A total of 190 singleton pregnant women at 36-41 weeks gestation with a non-reactive NST will be recruited at the Hospital General San Felipe, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (dark chocolate) or the control group (placebo). The primary outcome is the proportion of NSTs that become reactive. Secondary outcomes include changes in specific cardiotocographic parameters, total monitoring time, need for additional tests, and maternal satisfaction.
Eligibility
Plain Language Summary
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Interventions
Single oral dose of 30g of dark chocolate (minimum 80% cocoa content). Consumed within 5 minutes after a baseline non-reactive NST.
Single oral dose of 30g of sugar-free white chocolate, administered similarly. Serves as a placebo control without significant theobromine/caffeine.
Locations(1)
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NCT07418151