Chocolate, The New Diet Food?

Continuing the science theme articles of late, A UC at San Diego  study, showed that adults who eat chocolate on a regular basis are actually thinner that those who don't. One thousand men and women were involved in the test, which found that adults who ate chocolate on more days a week were actually thinner -- i.e. had a lower body mass index -- than those who ate chocolate less often.

It seems modest, regular chocolate consumption might be calorie-neutral -in other words, that the metabolic benefits of eating modest amounts of chocolate might lead to reduced fat deposition per calorie and approximately offset the added calories (thus rendering frequent, though modest, chocolate consumption neutral with regard to weight).1000 adult men and women from San Diego were involved in the test. The size of the effect was modest but the effect was "significant" -larger than could be explained by chance. This was despite the fact that those who ate chocolate more often did not eat fewer calories (they ate more), nor did they exercise more. Indeed, no differences in behaviors were identified that might explain the finding as a difference in calories taken in versus calories expended. "Our findings appear to add to a body of information suggesting that the composition of calories, not just the number of them, matters for determining their ultimate impact on weight," said Golomb. "In the case of chocolate, this is good news -both for those who have a regular chocolate habit, and those who may wish to start one."
B. A. Golomb, S. Koperski, H. L. White. Association Between More Frequent Chocolate Consumption and Lower Body Mass Index. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2012; 172 (6)

Excellent news! Butterfingers and Reeses PB cups to all!