Efficacy of Chocolate on Hypercholestrolemic Rats

Chocolate comprises number of raw and processed foods produced from the seed of the tropical cocoa tree. Chocolate is produced from cocoa mass added with sugar and cocoa butter. Chocolate has been promoted for its health benefits, as it seems to possess substantial amount of antioxidant that reduces the formation of free radicals. Researchers concluded that chocolate containing higher amount of cocoa have higher procyanidins content, so higher antioxidant capacities. Evidence suggests that regular consumption of cocoa products containing flavanol may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the present study was carried out to assess the effect of chocolate on lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic rats. The rats were grouped under three categories; Triton 400mg was injected to experimental rats to make it hypercholesterolemia. Based on the objectives a cocoa rich chocolate sample was developed using cocoa seed, cocoa butter, sugar and lecithin and the experimental hypercholesterolemia rates were feed with chocolate sample for duration of 20 days, and the lipid profile was analysed at initial and at final days of supplementation. During the period of supplementation, the Cholesterol and LDL level were decreased gradually which may be due to the supplementation of chocolate. Significant reduction was observed at 5% level. Thus, it was concluded that in the present study there was a significant effect on lipid profile of chocolate supplemented with hypercholesterolemic rats.

Physicochemical Analysis of Different Brands of Chocolates and Their Comparative Studies

There is no metaphysics on earth like chocolate.” Chocolate is a blessing which contain almost all nutrients necessary for the growth of human health. In this study, composition of different branded chocolates available in Pakistan including Dairy milk, Chocolate chip, Toblerone (black), Toblerone (sweet), Nutella, Smarties, Now, Sonnet, Novella and Snickers were qualitatively analyzed in triplicate. We successfully study proteins, fats, carbohydrates, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and nickel in different branded chocolates. From the results it is confirmed that pH of all chocolates are 6-9 depend on the concentration of cocoa which is same as reported in literature. All the chocolates contain high amount of fats, sugar and carbohydrates. Protein is present in excess amount in Chocolate chips and Snickers while Smarties, Sonnet and Novella contain small amount of protein but absent in rest of chocolate samples. None of the chocolate sample contain traces of alcohol. All chocolates contain calcium except Nutella, Now and Toblerone (black) while magnesium is only present in Smarties. All chocolates contain nickel except Sonnet and Now, zinc is absent in Sonnet, Now, Smarties and Nutella whileiron is only present in Dairy milk and chocolate chips. Some samples like Dairy milk, Chocolate chip, Toblerone (black), Snickers and Toblerone (sweet) contain traces of caffeine which act as stimulant and reduced liver damage. From the given results it is also confirmed that chocolates contain important ingredients which are helpful for proper body functioning.

Increasing Chocolate’s Sugar Content Enhances Its Psychoactive Effects and Intake

Chocolate elicits unique brain activity compared to other foods, activating similar brain regions and neurobiological substrates with potentially similar psychoactive effects as substances of abuse. We sought to determine the relationship between chocolate with varying combinations of its main constituents (sugar, cocoa, and fat) and its psychoactive effects. Participants consumed 5 g of a commercially available chocolate with increasing amounts of sugar (90% cocoa, 85% cocoa, 70% cocoa, and milk chocolates). After each chocolate sample, participants completed the Psychoactive Effects Questionnaire (PEQ). The PEQ consists of questions taken from the Morphine-Benzedrine Group (MBG), Morphine (M,) and Excitement (E) subscales of the Addiction Research Center Inventory. After all testing procedures, participants completed the Binge Eating Scale (BES) while left alone and allowed to eat as much as they wanted of each of the different chocolates. We found a measurable psychoactive dose–effect relationship with each incremental increase in the chocolate’s sugar content. The total number of positive responses and the number of positive responses on the E subscale began increasing after tasting the 90% cocoa chocolate, whereas the number of positive responses on the MBG and M subscales began increasing after tasting the 85% cocoa chocolate sample. We did not find a correlation between BES scores and the total amount of chocolate consumed or self-reported scores on the PEQ. These results suggest that each incremental increase in chocolate’s sugar content enhances its psychoactive effects. These results extend our understanding of chocolate’s appeal and unique ability to prompt an addictive-like eating response.