Turns out you might be able to justify Tim Tams for breakfast.
A new study suggests that eating chocolate first thing in the morning could actually offer some surprising health benefits. Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, working with the University of Murcia in Spain, found that consuming a concentrated amount of chocolate early in the day may help the body burn fat and reduce blood sugar levels.
The study followed 19 post-menopausal women in a controlled trial. Participants ate 100 grams of chocolate either within an hour of waking or within an hour before bedtime. Researchers then compared weight changes and other health measures against periods with no chocolate.
Surprisingly, those who ate chocolate in the morning did not gain weight. Researchers also observed reduced hunger and lower overall calorie intake throughout the day.
Experts say the findings highlight that not only what we eat matters—but when we eat it.
Not exactly a licence for unlimited Tim Tams, but perhaps breakfast just got a little sweeter.
