Higher Chocolate Consumption Linked to Lower Fat Level

Sharon Moore November 13, 2013

A team of researchers from the University of Granada in Spain have found evidence dispelling the popular belief that ‘chocolate is fattening’. In their study, higher chocolate consumption was associated with lower fat levels in the abdomen and other parts of the body, whether or not an individual undergoes regular physical activity.

For the study, the researchers tracked the habits and lifestyle of 1, 458 adolescents from 9 European countries, including Spain. Their findings showed that higher level of chocolate consumption was linked to lower levels of total and central fat. This holds true even after taking into account other factors like sex, age, sexual maturation, intake of saturated fats, fruit and vegetables, total energy intake, consumption of tea and coffee, and physical activity.

“Recent studies in adults suggest chocolate consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiometabolic disorders", said lead researcher Magdalena Cuenca-García. Although they are quite high in calories, chocolates are rich in flavonoids, particularly catechins which have numerous healthy properties. “They have important antioxidant, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive effects and can help prevent ischemic heart disease". Cuenca-García added.

An earlier study by the University of California revealed that more frequent consumption of chocolate was associated with lower body mass index. The current research, which was considered the most comprehensive and largest of its kind, is the first to focus on the adolescent population.

The authors note that biological impact of foods should not be evaluated solely in terms of calories. "The most recent epidemiologic research focuses on studying the relation between specific foods—both for their calorie content and for their components—and the risk factors for developing chronic illnesses, including overweight and obesity", the researchers said. Despite the overwhelming results, they emphasised eating chocolates in moderation. “You can’t have too much of a good thing", they wrote.

Their findings were published in the journal Nutrition.

Source of this article:

Association between chocolate consumption and fatness in European adolescents