Effect of Chocolate Consumption Prior to Prolonged Sitting on Cardiovascular Health in Adults

Exclusion Criteria10

• 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.
• 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.