Chocolate
New Study Confirms Chocolate's Fat-Busting Properties
New Study Confirms Chocolate's Fat-Busting Properties
Written By: Sayer Ji, Founder
This article is copyrighted by GreenMedInfo LLC, 2013
One of my favorite past times is not only eating chocolate, but reporting on it.
Recently, for instance, I reported on a myth-busting study finding chocolate burns belly fat, as well as improves cholesterol.[i] Before that I reported on research indicating that the medicinal properties of chocolate are so powerful that this treat gives the 29 billion dollar statin drug industry a run for its money as far as protecting you from the #1 cause of death in the Western world.
No doubt, chocolate lovers are reveling in the fact that their love affair with this irresistible treat is increasingly being officially sanctified by today's lab coat wearing priestly caste. After all, many folks suffer from a love/hate relationship with chocolate; ambivalent over their habitual consumption of something still generally considered to be 'candy,' and indeed is still placed in the candy aisle of institutions such as grocery stores and pharmacies.
Now, a new observational study published in the journal Nutrition, confirms that chocolate consumption may have significant health benefits. The European study titled, "Association between chocolate consumption and fatness in European adolescents," found a higher chocolate consumption was associated with lower total and central fatness in European adolescents.
The study method was reported as follows:
"This study comprised 1458 adolescents (ages 12.5-17.5 y) participating in HELENA-CSS (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence Cross-Sectional Study). Dietary intake was self-registered using a computer-based tool for 24-h dietary recall on 2 non-consecutive days. Weight and height were measured, and BMI [body mass index] was calculated. Adiposity was estimated using skinfolds (Slaughter's equation) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Waist circumference was measured. Sexual maturation also was recorded. Physical activity was measured by accelerometry."
The results were summarized as follows:
"Higher chocolate consumption was associated with lower levels of total and central fatness, as estimated by BMI, body fat estimated from skinfolds and BIA, and waist circumference, regardless of potential confounders (P ≤ 0.01)."
The researchers took into account and made methodological adjustments to exclude the following confounding factors:
- Age
- Sex
- Sexual maturation
- Total energy intake
- Saturated fat intake
- Fruit and vegetable intake
- Physical activity level
- Tea and coffee consumption
And finally, they repeated the analysis excluding obese and overweight adolescents "Due to the general assumption that individuals with higher levels of adiposity are more likely to underreport dietary intake," but the results did not change.
Dec16Food | America’s obesity epidemic has gathered much media attention recently. A rise in the percent of the population who are obese coincides with an increase in the widespread use of non-caloric artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame (e.g., Diet Coke) and sucralose (e.g., Pepsi One), in food products Both forward and reverse causalities have been proposed . While people often choose “diet” or “light” products to lose weight, research studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may contribute to weight gain. In this mini-review, inspired by a discussion with Dr. Dana Small at Yale’s Neuroscience 2010 conference in April, I first examine the development of artificial sweeteners in a historic context. I then summarize the epidemiological and experimental evidence concerning their effects on weight. Finally, I attempt to explain those effects in light of the neurobiology of food reward.
Nov16Food | It is actually a rich source of antioxidants. People in Western countries get more antioxidants from coffee than fruits and vegetables… combined.
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Results can be very different individually. We cannot guarantee the above results for everybody, as results are dependent on eating habits, health condition, and fitness levels. Before you start exercising ask for your GP’s advice.