Timing of chocolate intake affects hunger, substrate oxidation, and microbiota: A randomized controlled trial

Eating chocolate in the morning or evening/at night, may differentially affect energy balance and impact body weight due to changes intake, substrate oxidation, microbiota (composition/function), circadian-related variables. In a randomized controlled trial, postmenopausal females (n = 19) had 100 g of (MC), night (EC), no (N) for 2 weeks ate any other food ad libitum. Our results show that 14 days intake did not increase weight. Chocolate consumption decreased hunger desire sweets (P < .005), reduced libitum by ~300 kcal/day during MC ~150 EC .01), but fully compensate extra contribution (542 kcal/day). increased physical activity +6.9%, heat dissipation after meals +1.3%, carbohydrate oxidation +35.3% .05). fasting glucose (4.4%) waist circumference (?1.7%) lipid (+25.6%). Principal component analyses showed both timings resulted differential profiles function Heat map wrist temperature sleep records induced more regular timing episodes with lower variability onset among than (60 min vs 78 min; P .028). conclusion, having evening/night effects on appetite, glucose, (composition function), rhythms. Results highlight “when” we eat is relevant factor consider metabolism.