Shafaqna Health: Many people avoid chocolate due to its high sugar and fat content, but new research highlights some surprising health benefits. A study published in the *Food Bioscience* journal reveals that dark chocolate, rich in polyphenols, may help reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Polyphenols, which are bitter compounds found in cocoa, interact with taste receptors in the mouth. Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan discovered that polyphenols activate these receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to the secretion of hormones like cholecystokinin (CCK) and incretins such as GLP-1. These hormones are known to reduce appetite and regulate blood sugar levels.
Professor Naomi Osakabe explained that the bitterness of polyphenols likely helps lower diabetes risk and manage blood sugar through the activation of these taste receptors. This suggests that even though polyphenols might not be absorbed, they can still influence blood sugar and appetite by stimulating hormone release in the digestive system.