(RxWiki News) Chocolate and candy lovers rejoice! New research suggests that moderate intake of sweets is linked to some favorable health measures. You tend to weigh less, have lower body mass indices (BMI), have smaller waist sizes and lower levels of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome than those who don’t indulge.
Lead researcher Carol O'Neil, PhD, MPH, LDN, RD, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, cautions it is all things in moderation. The study doesn’t indicate chocolate and candy consumption helps one lose weight, but it does indicate the occasional indulgence of a yummy treat can be part of a healthy lifestyle. The study found that the occasional indulger tended to weigh less, have lower body mass indices (BMI), have smaller waist sizes and lower levels of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome than those who don’t indulge.
dailyRx Insight: Chocolate and candy consumed in moderation are a nice addition to your diet.
The 15,000 participants of this study were examined regarding their candy consumption compared to total food intake, nutritional value, diet quality, weight status, cardiovascular disease risk factors and metabolic syndrome.
The study examined the association of candy consumption on total energy intake (calories), nutrient intake, diet quality, weight status, CVD risk factors and metabolic syndrome. The study found no relation between candy consumption and increased body mass index (BMI). The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) implements this conclusion: calorie balance over time is the key to weight management.
Other positives for candy and chocolate consumers include a 14 percent decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and 15 percent reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, which is linked to obesity and weight control problems that can lead to diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Participants diet quality wasn’t adversely effected as long as the amount of sugar was in line with their total energy expenditure.
Eating candy in moderation can add joy to your life as long as it is balanced with diet and adequate exercise.
Obesity has definitively been linked to health complications including stroke, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, all of which burden America with billions of dollars in avoidable health care costs. Also, obesity negatively impacts America's ability to compete in the global market by costing billions of dollars in lost productivity each year.
