Timing of chocolate intake affects hunger, substrate oxidation, and microbiota: A randomized controlled trial

[sarchasm]

OP: more good news about chocolate...

https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/fj.202002770RR

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Timing of chocolate intake affects hunger, substrate oxidation, and microbiota: A randomized controlled trial

Teresa Hernández-González, Rocío González-Barrio, Carolina Escobar, Juan Antonio Madrid, Maria Jesús Periago, Maria Carmen Collado, Frank A. J. L. Scheer, Marta Garaulet

First published: 23 June 2021 https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202002770RR Citations: 7

Abstract

Eating chocolate in the morning or in the evening/at night, may differentially affect energy balance and impact body weight due to changes in energy intake, substrate oxidation, microbiota (composition/function), and circadian-related variables. In a randomized controlled trial, postmenopausal females (n = 19) had 100 g of chocolate in the morning (MC), in the evening/at night (EC), or no chocolate (N) for 2 weeks and ate any other food ad libitum. Our results show that 14 days of chocolate intake did not increase body weight. Chocolate consumption decreased hunger and desire for sweets (P < .005), and reduced ad libitum energy intake by ~300 kcal/day during MC and ~150 kcal/day during EC (P = .01), but did not fully compensate for the extra energy contribution of chocolate (542 kcal/day). EC increased physical activity by +6.9%, heat dissipation after meals +1.3%, and carbohydrate oxidation by +35.3% (P < .05). MC reduced fasting glucose (4.4%) and waist circumference (−1.7%) and increased lipid oxidation (+25.6%). Principal component analyses showed that both timings of chocolate intake resulted in differential microbiota profiles and function (P < .05). Heat map of wrist temperature and sleep records showed that EC induced more regular timing of sleep episodes with lower variability of sleep onset among days than MC (60 min vs 78 min; P = .028). In conclusion, having chocolate in the morning or in the evening/night results in differential effects on hunger and appetite, substrate oxidation, fasting glucose, microbiota (composition and function), and sleep and temperature rhythms. Results highlight that the “when” we eat is a relevant factor to consider in energy balance and metabolism.

more at link

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[hlthe2b]

1. Interesting study. They had a lot of interesting outcomes (including improvements in gut biota and

benefits to blood sugar over time, (despite the 56 g of sugar in the milk chocolate--but obviously the relatively high fat suppresses as well).

They did restrict the use of commercial fiber supplements, but I wish they had done nutritional diaries as well to try to evaluate daily fiber, carbs, protein, and calories in the volunteers. I suspect some may have been on higher fiber "Mediterranean-type" diets, which was mentioned, but not quantified.

Still, this is a reminder that not all of our so-called "vices" cannot be accommodated in a healthy diet (or excluding the double "negatives," some of our vices CAN be accommodated in a healthy diet...LOL )

[mwmisses4289]

2. If I am reading this right,

the benefits of chocolate differ a bit depending on if it is eaten during the day or eaten at night. Is that correct?

[Crunchy Frog]

3. So what time of the day is it best to eat chocolate?