CHOCOLATE biscuits could one day aid weight loss, according to scientists who are inventing snacks to make people feel full.
Researchers say antioxidants in the cocoa used to make can trigger fullness hormones.
They intensified the effects by creating a special cocoa biscuit then adding a bitter extract from the absinthe plant.
A pilot group of 11 people ate the 85g biccie once a day in the morning.
Results showed it appeared to stimulate the same hormones as , and participants reported being less hungry during the day.
The researchers say a feeling of satiety will prevent people from snacking and over-eating.
One of the hormones triggered is GLP-1, targeted by anti-fat jabs such as and Mounjaro.
Study author Dr Flavia Prodam, of the University of Eastern Piedmont in , said: “All the people who ate the biscuit reported lower hunger before dinner.
“It has already been reported that cocoa and dark chocolate have an effect on satiety and in this biscuit with the bitter compound that effect is even higher. I think the GLP-1 receptor could be affected specifically by the bitter compound but we need to investigate that part.”;;
Dr Prodam and co-author Jessica Baima say their snack is “very tasty”;; and would be easy to make commercially.
They presented their findings at the European Congress on Obesity and plan to run a clinical trial to test the effect on patients.
Dr Prodam added: “We need to educate people to eat less but there is a lot of failure. The emotional part of eating is important in obesity. People want comfort , so having one that decreases hunger could be a good strategy.”;;
It comes after a University of Surrey study this week
