This double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial has compared the effect of a flavanol-rich chocolate to a control chocolate on endothelial and platelet function in 20 patients with heart failure. The effect of chocolate was assessed in the short-term (2h after ingestion) and long term (4 weeks). Flow-mediated vasodilatation has been increased in the flavanol-rich chocolate group in both short and long term. Conversely, endothelial-independent vasodilatation has not been affected by the supplementations. Platelet adhesion has been reduced 2h after flavanol-rich chocolate, but this effect was not observed after 4 weeks. Consequently, these results highlight cardiovascular beneficial effects of flavanol-rich chocolate.

Eur Heart J. 2012 Sep;33(17):2172-80
Cardiovascular effects of flavanol-rich chocolate in patients with heart failure.
Flammer AJ, Sudano I, Wolfrum M, Thomas R, Enseleit F, Périat D, Kaiser P, Hirt A, Hermann M, Serafini M, Lévêques A, Lüscher TF, Ruschitzka F, Noll G, Corti R

EFSA has published a new statement on the safety of β-carotene use in heavy smokers, following a request by the European Commission.
The Scientific Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) was asked to review existing data on the possible link between the ingestion of β-carotene and cancer enhancement in heavy smokers and to provide advice on a daily intake of β-carotene that does not give rise to concerns about adverse health effects in heavy smokers.

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) investigating β-carotene supplementation and cancer risk (Druesne-Pecollo et al., 2010)
has been taken into account. Those data showed :
- absence of any protective effect associated with β-carotene supplementation with regard to primary cancer risk
- an increased risk of lung cancers in individuals supplemented with β-carotene at dose levels equal to or greater than 20 mg/day
- no increased lung cancer incidence in heavy smokers at supplemental dose levels of β-carotene varying from 6 – 15 mg/day for about 5 up to 7 years.

The Panel concluded that exposure to β-carotene from its use as food additive and as food supplement at a level below 15 mg/day do not give rise to concerns about adverse health effects in the general population, including heavy smokers.

New EFSA’s statement on the safety of β-carotene use in heavy smokers
EFSA Journal 2012;10(12):2953. [7 pp.]

Since 1997, the ObEpi-Roche studies analyze overweight and obesity prevalence in France. The 2012 survey highlights a new increase in obesity prevalence, whatever the gender. The study shows that 32.3% of French adults over 18 years old are overweight (25 ≤ BMI ≤ 30 kg/m²) and that 15% are obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). The prevalence of obesity was 8.5% in 1997 as shown by the first ObEpi study, and 14.5% in 2009. Although a slowing down of obesity increase has been observed, there are currently in France less than one person in two with a normal body mass index (18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 25 kg/m²).

Source: Enquête nationale ObeEpi 2012

Vitamins and minerals have been the big winner of Regulation 432/2012 which states the health claims that could be indefinitely used in Europe. Conversely to other ingredients, vitamins and minerals have been accepted for the most part because of the deleterious effects of their deficiency and not thanks to a beneficial effect of a supplementation. And the reason is simple: no evidence have shown the efficacy of a supplementation for almost all vitamins and minerals.
Recently, a study has for the first time shown an effect of a vitamin C supplementation on bone metabolism in ovariectomized mice. The results have shown that vitamin C has prevented bone turn-over induced by ovariectomy, notably thanks to a stimulation of bone formation. Nevertheless, the effects have been measured for an elevated daily intake (10 g/day for 8 weeks), doses much more elevated than the ones usable in dietary supplements. Let’s remind that the acceptable daily intake has been set at 180 mg/day…

Reference: Zhu L.L. et al. (2012) « Vitamin C prevents hypogonadal bone loss » PLoS ONE, 7(10):e47058