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Dark chocolate reduces subsequent food intake in postmenopausal women more effectively than milk and white chocolate.
In the study, 14 healthy postmenopausal women participated in three separate experimental trials done in a counterbalanced order. Each trial was conducted at a specific time and was spaced one week apart. The women's food intake, appetite perceptions, mood, and levels of certain appetite-related peptides were measured and analyzed following their consumption of an isocaloric amount of dark chocolate (80% cocoa), milk chocolate (35% cocoa), and white chocolate (cocoa butter).
The results indicated a significant decrease in food intake after consuming dark chocolate compared to milk and white chocolate. Furthermore, blood glucose and insulin levels were found to temporarily increase after consuming milk and white chocolate, unlike in the case of dark chocolate. In addition, the consumption of high cocoa content chocolate, like dark and milk chocolate, elevated the pancreatic polypeptide, which differed from the response to white chocolate. The conditions had no significant effect on active ghrelin or leptin hormones, and the mood of the participants remained largely unaffected.
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The combination of dark chocolate with herbs could be one of the therapies for period pain.
2023 Journal of Tropical Pharmacy and Chemistry Effect of Combination of Dark Chocolate and Herbal Ingredients for Dysmenorrhea in Late Adolescents Azizah RNP, Anggreini P, Prasetya F
Randomised Controlled Trial Dark Chocolate Ginger Honey
This test was conducted on 30 respondents who were divided into three groups, namely the positive control group (K), dark chocolate (C), and a combination of dark chocolate with herbs (C+H). Dark chocolate was combined with herbal ingredients consisting of turmeric, red ginger, moringa, sambiloto extract, and honey as a beverage 250 mL.
The study is quantitative research with quasi-experimental method. Pain measurement using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) sheet was given before and 2 hours after treatment. The data was analyzed using paired t-test. State the results of the values obtained the combination of dark chocolate and herbs showed a significant reduction in pain before and after treatment (p<0.05).
Cinnamon, ginger, and mint enhanced chocolates effectively reduce menstrual pain and improve blood iron levels without increasing body weight or negatively affecting cholesterol.
2023 Journal of Food and Dairy Sciences Manufacture and Evaluation of Novel Chocolate for Girls' Dysmenorrhea Shalaby, A, Moawad O, Mostafa M
Randomised Controlled Trial Cinnamon Dark Chocolate Field Mint
The methodology of the study involved a sample of 48 female student volunteers, aged 18-25, from Mansoura University who were experiencing dysmenorrhea. These volunteers were divided into eight groups of six and each group was given a different type of chocolate: regular chocolate, chocolate without herbal powder, chocolate with cinnamon powder, chocolate with cinnamon oil, chocolate with ginger powder, chocolate with ginger oil, chocolate with mint powder, and chocolate with mint oil.
Discussion of the results demonstrated that the consumption of chocolates supplemented with cinnamon, ginger, and mint powders and their respective essential oils led to a significant improvement in participants' hemoglobin scores compared to a control group which consumed normal chocolate. Furthermore, it was found that these chocolates had a positive influence on serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein scores. Importantly, chocolate consumption did not lead to an increase in the participants' body mass index, proving that these chocolate variants could reduce menstrual pain and lift blood iron levels without instigating weight gain or having adverse effects on cholesterol levels.
Dark chocolate decreases the severity of menstrual pain in female hospital employees.
2023 Bioscientia Medicina : Journal of Biomedicine and Translational Research The Effect of Giving Dark Chocolate on Reducing Menstrual Pain in Primary Dysmenorrhoea in Employees of Cabangbungin General Hospital, Bekasi Regency in 2023 Sa’idah SN, Maulida Lathifah , Evita Anindya Bestari
Randomised Controlled Trial Dark Chocolate Period Pain
The researcher undertook an experimental study with 32 female employees of the Cabangbungin General Hospital, Bekasi Regency, as participants. After being selected, these subjects were systematically analyzed in both singular and joint approaches using SPSS version 25.
The results supported the study's initial hypothesis that dark chocolate can alleviate menstrual pain. The statistical test results used confirm a significant effect of dark chocolate on dysmenorrhea, demonstrating a fundamental link between the consumption of dark chocolate and the easing of menstrual pain in subjects.
The consumption of cocoa or dark chocolate can reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and fasting blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
2021 Phytotherapy Research The effect of cocoa/dark chocolate consumption on lipid profile, glycemia, and blood pressure in diabetic patients: A meta‐analysis of observational studies Darand M, Hajizadeh Oghaz M, Hadi A, Atefi M, Amani R
Systematic Review Blood Sugar Cocoa Dark Chocolate
A systematic search of databases identified eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 433 participants for meta-analysis. The results demonstrated a substantial reduction in LDL-c levels (WMD: −15.49 mg/dl) and FBS concentrations (WMD: −6.88 mg/dl) following cocoa/dark chocolate consumption. The study emphasizes the potential positive effects of cocoa/dark chocolate on the metabolic profile of diabetic individuals.
The meta-analysis included RCTs focusing on cocoa/dark chocolate interventions in diabetic patients, with a significant pooled analysis showing reduced LDL-c and FBS levels. The findings suggest that incorporating cocoa/dark chocolate in the diet of diabetic individuals could be beneficial for managing lipid profile and glycemia. Further research is necessary to solidify these insights and understand the complete impact on metabolic health.
Women who eat chocolate more frequently tend to express less interest in sex, suggesting a potential connection between chocolate consumption and sexual interest.
2021 Cureus Journal of Medical Science Chocolate Consumption and Sex-Interest Golomb BA, Berg BK
Cohort Study Dark Chocolate Sexual Arousal
The study involved 723 adults from Southern California, both men and women over 20 years old. Participants provided information about how often they ate chocolate per week and rated their interest in sex on a scale from 0 to 10. The researchers used regression analysis, adjusting for potential factors that might influence the results, to explore the relationship between chocolate consumption frequency and sex interest. They also examined differences based on gender and age.
The overall findings indicated that individuals who consumed chocolate more frequently reported lower interest in sex. This relationship was particularly strong in women, where chocolate consumption frequency emerged as the most influential predictor of sex interest. Surprisingly, the trend was not observed in men, although a slight connection was noted in younger men. The study suggests that the common idea of chocolate substituting for or satisfying the need for sex in women might explain the observed patterns.
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