"In a study to be presented on Feb.  at  p.m. EST at the Society for MaternalFetal Medicines annual meeting The Pregnancy Meeting in Atlanta researchers will present findings from a study titled Highflavanol chocolate to improve placental function and to decrease the risk of preeclampsia a double blind randomized clinical trial.  In light of previous studies showing conflicting results regarding the role of chocolate consumption during pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia this study set out to evaluate the impact of highflavanol chocolate. Researchers conducted a singlecenter randomized controlled trial of  women with singleton pregnancy between  and  weeks gestation who had doublenotching on uterine artery Doppler. The pregnant women selected were randomized to either highflavanol or lowflavanol chocolate. A total of  grams of chocolate was consumed daily for  weeks and women were followed until delivery. Uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index was at baseline and  weeks after randomization. Preeclampsia gestational hypertension placenta weight and birthweight were also evaluated. The result was that there was no difference in preeclampsia gestational hypertension placental weight or birthweight in the two groups however the uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index a surrogate marker of blood velocity in the uterine placental and fetal circulations in both groups showed marked improvement that was much greater than expected in general population. This study indicates that chocolate could have a positive impact on placenta and fetal growth and development and that chocolates effects are not solely and directly due to flavanol content explained Emmanuel Bujold M.D. one of the researchers on the study who will present the findings. Dr. Bujold and Dr. Sylvie Dodin principal investigator of the trial are with the Universit Laval Qubec City Canada.  A copy of the abstract is available at http and below. For interviews please contact Vicki Bendure at Vickibendurepr.com mailtoVickibendurepr.com  cell. The Society for MaternalFetal Medicine est.  is the premiere membership organization for obstetriciansgynecologists who have additional formal education and training in maternalfetal medicine. The society is devoted to reducing highrisk pregnancy complications by sharing expertise through continuing education to its  members on the latest pregnancy assessment and treatment methods. It also serves as an advocate for improving public policy and expanding research funding and opportunities for maternalfetal medicine. The group hosts an annual meeting in which groundbreaking new ideas and research in the area of maternalfetal medicine are shared and discussed. For more information visit http  Abstract  Highflavanol chocolate to improve placental function and to decrease the risk of preeclampsia a double blind randomized clinical trial Authors Emmanuel Bujold Asma Babar Elise Lavoie Mario Girard Vicky Leblanc Simone Lemieux LionelAnge Poungui Isabelle Marc Belkacem Abdous Sylvie Dodin  Universit Laval Qubec City QC Canada Centre de recherche du CHU de Qubec Qubec City QC Canada Objective Previous studies showed conflicting results regarding the role of chocolate consumption during pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia. We aimed to evaluate the impact of highflavanol chocolate in a randomized clinical trial. Study Design We conducted a singlecenter randomized controlled trial including women with singleton pregnancy between  and  weeks gestation who had doublenotching on uterine artery Doppler. The pregnant women selected were randomized to either highflavanol HFC or lowflavanol chocolate LFC. A total of  g of chocolate was consumed daily for  weeks and women were followed until delivery. Uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index UtA PI reported as multiple of medians MoM adjusted for gestational age was assessed at baseline and  weeks after randomization. Preeclampsia gestational hypertension placenta weight and birthweight were also evaluated. Results One hundred twenty nine women were randomized at a mean gestational age of .  . weeks with a mean UtA PI of .  . MoM. Although adjusted UtA PI significantly decreased from baseline to  weeks in the  groups . the difference between the  groups was not significant p.. At  weeks we observed no significant difference between HFC and LFC groups in the rate of preeclampsia . vs . p. and gestational hypertension . vs . p.. Placental weight  vs  grams p. and birthweight  vs  grams p. were comparable between the two groups. Conclusion Compared with lowflavanol chocolate daily intake of g of highflavanol chocolate did not improve placental function placental weight and the risk of preeclampsia. Nevertheless the marked improvement of the pulsatility index observed in the  chocolate groups might suggest that chocolate effects are not solely and directly due to flavanol content."