Dark chocolate could help you release hormones to feel full

A small study has suggested that this treat could actually help with dieting because it promotes the release of hormones to make you feel full.

When we are trying to lose weight, we are generally advised to put down the biscuit tin.

But a small study has suggested that dark chocolate biscuits could in fact help with dieting because the cocoa flavour promotes the release of hormones that make you feel full.

Scientists at the University of Eastern Piedmont in Italy created a biscuit made with dark chocolate and added a bitter compound from the wormwood plant (Artemisia absinthium).

During the trial, healthy participants ate the snack for breakfast, then underwent blood tests to measure their hormone levels and completed questionnaires on food cravings. Compared with a glucose drink containing the same amount of carbohydrates, participants felt more full after eating the biscuit and experienced an increase in satiety hormones. One of the hormones triggered was GLP-1, which is the target of weight-loss jabs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.

A standard chocolate biscuit without the bitter extract had the same effect but it was boosted by the addition of the bitter plant extract.

The very small study focused on dark chocolate biscuits.

Dr Flavia Prodam, the study’s author, said: “All the people who ate the biscuit reported lower hunger before dinner and had lower intake of calories at dinner. It has already been reported that cocoa and dark chocolate have an effect on satiety. In this biscuit with the bitter compound that effect is even higher. I think the GLP-1 receptor could be modulated specifically by the bitter compound but we need to investigate.”

Prodam and her team said it would be very easy to add the bitter compound from the wormwood plant to commercial snacks. She added: “They are very good and similar to normal cocoa biscuits – very tasty.”

The initial trial involved only 11 patients who were a healthy weight. The team now plans to run a clinical trial to see how it affects food intake in obese patients.

The wormwood plant contains a bitter compound that could be added to snacks.

They said that modifying popular foods could help to tackle the issue of comfort eating.

Prodam added: “The emotional part of eating is important in obesity. People want comfort foods, so having one that decreases hunger could be a good strategy.”

The findings, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, build on previous research about the benefits of dark chocolate. Studies have suggested that small amounts of dark chocolate may help to control appetite by reducing levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin.

Nutritionists, however, cautioned that people should not get too over- excited and display some self-restraint around dark chocolate digestives and bourbon biscuits.

Dr Carrie Ruxton, a dietitian, said: “A more effective way of limiting appetite and boosting satiety is to eat more fibre and protein. Fibre is low in calories and slows digestion helping us to feel fuller quicker. Protein has been shown to boost GLP-1 levels which helps appetite control. Good options for snacks include boiled eggs, wholemeal toast with peanut butter, seeds, popcorn, pineapple cubes, roasted chickpeas or edamame beans”

Originally published as Dark chocolate could help you release hormones to feel full