When it comes to our diets there are certain foods many of us will try to avoid for health or weight-related reasons. Chocolate is one such food, being high in sugar and fat.
However, new research suggests that eating dark chocolate could actually provide some unexpected health benefits.
A study, published in Food Bioscience journal, found that a type of chemical naturally occurring in many plant-based foods could lower the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
This chemical, known as polyphenols, is bitter in taste and can be found in cocoa – with the highest levels of polyphenols usually found in dark chocolate compared to milk.
Polyphenols interact with the bitter taste receptors on the tongue, known as the type 2 taste receptors (TR2).
Now researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan have found that polyphenol-caused activation of T2R in the gastrointestinal tract causes the secretion of hormones that may help lower a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity.
More specifically, the scientists discovered that polyphenol-caused activation of T2R in the gastrointestinal tract causes the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones including cholecystokinin (CCK) and incretins like GLP-1.
Both CCK and GLP-1 are known to help decrease appetite and regulate blood sugar levels.
In a media release, Professor Naomi Osakabe from Shibaura Institute, explained: “The gastrointestinal hormones are known to regulate feeding behaviour and maintain glucose tolerance via the endocrine and nervous systems, thus it is possible that the bitterness of polyphenols helps to reduce the risk of diabetes and its complications, through T2R activation.”
The findings suggest that ingested polyphenols, despite remaining unabsorbed, promote the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones by activating bitter taste receptors expressed on the digestive secretory cells, thereby regulating blood sugar levels and appetite.
Prof Osakabe added: “Our study highlights the importance of consumption of polyphenols to reduce obesity and diabetes risk through regulation of blood sugar levels and appetite.”
Of course, dark chocolate is not the only source of polyphenols.
They are found in many plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts and seeds.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, other polyphenol-rich foods include:
- Apples
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Chilli peppers
- Cumin
- Flax seeds
- Ginger
- Gingko biloba
- Green tea
- Oats
- Olives and olive oil
- Onions
- Red cabbage
- Sesame seeds
- Spinach
- Turmeric
- Whole grains.
If you are concerned about your weight or risk of diabetes you should speak to your GP.