Milk Chocolate could be a fat-burner for postmenopausal women, study shows

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A surprising new study suggests that milk chocolate may help postmenopausal women burn fat, but timing is crucial. Researchers found that consuming a concentrated amount of chocolate in the morning within one hour of waking could potentially aid in fat burning and lower blood sugar levels. The study, published in The FASEB Journal, was conducted by Harvard Medical School professor Frank A.J.L. Scheer and Marta Garaulet, along with researchers from the University of Murcia, Spain. The team focused on 19 postmenopausal women who were asked to consume 100 grams of milk chocolate either in the morning or at night with the chocolate intake limited to a one-hour window.

Despite the higher caloric intake due to the chocolate (an extra 542 kcal) the study found that the women did not experience significant weight gain. The researchers concluded that consuming chocolate in a concentrated one-hour window in the morning could lead to reduced hunger and appetite, lower glucose levels and possibly burn body fat in postmenopausal women.

The study also found that the timing of chocolate consumption impacted hunger, appetite, and energy intake. In fact, when participants ate chocolate in the morning, they spontaneously reduced their overall energy intake by 16%, counteracting the additional calories from the chocolate.

Scheer commented, "Our findings highlight that not only ‘what’ but also ‘when’ we eat can impact physiological mechanisms involved in the regulation of body weight."

Garaulet added, “Our results show that chocolate reduced energy intake, hunger, and the desire for sweets, which aligns with findings from previous studies."

Sweet Success

For Maria, a 50-year-old postmenopausal woman, the study's findings provided an unexpected glimmer of hope. Struggling with weight gain and frequent cravings, she decided to try incorporating a small square of milk chocolate into her morning routine. Within weeks, she noticed a reduction in her appetite and felt more satisfied after meals. To her surprise, her weight remained stable and she no longer had the intense cravings for sweets that once plagued her. Maria’s experience proves that sometimes, timing can make all the difference— even with a sweet treat like chocolate.