We all already know that dark chocolate may be beneficial for lowering
blood pressure and blood sugar levels, but recent research has also put
forward evidence to suggest that increasing your
chocolate intake may also help with weight loss!
A recent study published in the March 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine by associate professor Beatrice A. Golomb and colleagues showed that frequent chocolate consumption was associated with lower BMI (Body Mass Index), even after adjusting for calorie intake, saturated fat intake and mood.
The cross-sectional study asked 1017 participants how many times a week they consumed chocolate, and how much, then performed analyses with and without adjustment for age, sex, calorie intake, saturated fat intake, fruit & vegetable intake, and mood (using a scale for measuring depression).
The results showed, surprisingly, that increased frequency of chocolate consumption was associated with a lower BMI, while the amount of chocolate consumed was not. The results were consistent even after adjustments for age and sex, as well as for calories, saturated fats, and depression.
The study is intriguing on many levels. Firstly, you will expect people who take more chocolate to also consume more calories, saturated fats, and be more depressed (which is exactly what the authors found). Secondly, many chocolate products are also high in sugar, fat, and calories. These 2 factors alone should logically point to a result which shows that increased chocolate intake is increased with higher, rather than lower BMI.
Thirdly, the association between chocolate and BMI was found only with how frequently the participants consumed chocolate, but not how much they consumed.
Of course, there are limitations to this study - it was a cross-sectional one. More rigorous randomized controlled trials studying the metabolic benefits of chocolate in humans may be warranted. But while we await the results of the conclusive studies with bated breath, I will head to the supermarket later to pick up a box of dark chocolate. Remember its the frequency of consumption which is important, so eat a little everyday - do not go on a chocolate buffet! Also choose the dark chocolate varieties - these contain less sugar and fat, and a higher concentration of the good stuff!
A recent study published in the March 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine by associate professor Beatrice A. Golomb and colleagues showed that frequent chocolate consumption was associated with lower BMI (Body Mass Index), even after adjusting for calorie intake, saturated fat intake and mood.
The cross-sectional study asked 1017 participants how many times a week they consumed chocolate, and how much, then performed analyses with and without adjustment for age, sex, calorie intake, saturated fat intake, fruit & vegetable intake, and mood (using a scale for measuring depression).
The results showed, surprisingly, that increased frequency of chocolate consumption was associated with a lower BMI, while the amount of chocolate consumed was not. The results were consistent even after adjustments for age and sex, as well as for calories, saturated fats, and depression.
The study is intriguing on many levels. Firstly, you will expect people who take more chocolate to also consume more calories, saturated fats, and be more depressed (which is exactly what the authors found). Secondly, many chocolate products are also high in sugar, fat, and calories. These 2 factors alone should logically point to a result which shows that increased chocolate intake is increased with higher, rather than lower BMI.
Thirdly, the association between chocolate and BMI was found only with how frequently the participants consumed chocolate, but not how much they consumed.
Of course, there are limitations to this study - it was a cross-sectional one. More rigorous randomized controlled trials studying the metabolic benefits of chocolate in humans may be warranted. But while we await the results of the conclusive studies with bated breath, I will head to the supermarket later to pick up a box of dark chocolate. Remember its the frequency of consumption which is important, so eat a little everyday - do not go on a chocolate buffet! Also choose the dark chocolate varieties - these contain less sugar and fat, and a higher concentration of the good stuff!
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