Table 3.
Mediating influence of serum biomarkers and blood pressure in the associations of daily chocolate consumption with risk of overall mortality
| Serum biomarkers or blood pressure | 1-SD increment HR (95% CI) | Proportion (%) of effect due to mediation through serum biomarkers or blood pressure (95% CIs) | P value for mediation |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-cause mortality | |||
| Model 2 | 0.98 (0.97, 0.99) | – | |
| Model 2 + Serum alpha-tocopherol | 0.98 (0.97, 0.99) | 3.1 (0.7, 12.9) | 0.087 |
| Model 2 + Serum retinol | 0.98 (0.97, 0.99) | None | – |
| Model 2 + Serum total cholesterol | 0.98 (0.97, 0.99) | 1.3 (0.2, 6.6) | 0.12 |
| Model 2 + Serum HDL cholesterol | 0.98 (0.97, 0.99) | None | – |
| Model 2: including systolic blood pressure | 0.98 (0.97, 0.99) | 4.3 (1.6, 11.1) | 0.0049 |
| Model 2: including diastolic blood pressure | 0.98 (0.97, 0.99) | 1.5 (0.5, 4.2) | 0.015 |
| CVD mortality | |||
| Model 2 | 0.96 (0.94, 0.99) | – | |
| Model 2 + Serum alpha-tocopherol | 0.97 (0.94, 0.99) | None | – |
| Model 2 + Serum retinol | 0.97 (0.94, 0.99) | None | – |
| Model 2 + Serum total cholesterol | 0.97 (0.94, 0.99) | None | – |
| Model 2 + Serum HDL cholesterol | 0.96 (0.94, 0.99) | None | – |
| Model 2: including systolic blood pressure | 0.96 (0.94, 0.99) | 4.1 (1.5, 10.5) | 0.0046 |
| Model 2: including diastolic blood pressure | 0.96 (0.94, 0.99) | 1.4 (0.5, 4.3) | 0.015 |
| Heart disease mortality | |||
| Model 2 | 0.95 (0.93, 0.98) | – | |
| Model 2 + Serum alpha-tocopherol | 0.95 (0.93, 0.98) | None | – |
| Model 2 + Serum retinol | 0.95 (0.93, 0.98) | None | – |
| Model 2 + Serum total cholesterol | 0.95 (0.93, 0.98) | None | – |
| Model 2 + Serum HDL cholesterol | 0.95 (0.93, 0.98) | None | – |
| Model 2: including systolic blood pressure | 0.95 (0.93, 0.98) | 3.2 (1.2, 8.0) | 0.0061 |
| Model 2: including diastolic blood pressure | 0.95 (0.93, 0.98) | 1.0 (0.3, 3.2) | 0.022 |
Model 2: adjusted for age at entry, body mass index, cigarettes smoked per day, years of smoking, serum HDL cholesterol, intervention assignment, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, education, physical activity, and daily dietary total energy, alcohol, and Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score
Serum alpha-tocopherol, mg/L; serum retinol, μg/L; serum total cholesterol, mmol/L; serum HDL cholesterol, mmol/L; systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mm