Great news for chocolate fans like Augustus Gloop. A new study suggests that people who love chocolate may more frequently have lower BMI – so falling head first into a river of chocolate at the Wonka Factory might not be so bad.
The Archives of Internal Medicine found that among individuals, age 20 to 85, who consumed chocolate more frequently had a lower BMI than those who consumed it less often. (Body Mass Index is a measurement of height relative to weight.) Overall, participants ate chocolate an average of two times per week and exercised 3.6 times per week.
Dr. Beatrice Golomb, from the University of Califonia, San Diego, and one of the study’s authors, said “We found the more frequent chocolate eaters had lower BMI.”
The study’s authors caution that the new study does not establish a cause and effect relationship between eating more chocolate and losing weight.
“Chocolate can be rich in antioxidants, which can protect against oxidative stress,” said Golomb. “That has the ability to ‘poison’ cell metabolism a little bit.”
Listen to over 50 free Diva TalkRadio programs using the handy player on the Diva TalkRadio page of divabetic.org New diabetes radio shows added monthly. Callers welcome! Diva TalkRadio Studio Line: (347) 215-8551.
Tags: benefits of chocolate, chocolate, Dark Chocolate, diabetes radio, Dr. Beatrice Golomb, guilty pleasures, healthy eating, lower BMIS, women health, women wellness
