Flaxseed Oil Decreases Craving for Chocolate: Preliminary Results
2015
Chocolate is recognized as a type of food that contains many psychoactive components. Many studies have shown that some people may present compulsive symptoms such as the difficulty in resisting the urge to consume chocolate. On the other hand, there is evidence that omega 3 deficiency results in a dopaminergic hypofunctioning of the mesocortical and mesolimbic pathways related to reinforcing effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of flaxseed oil (rich in omega 3) on chocolate consumption and craving. We conducted a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial and assigned volunteers to two groups: placebo, which received capsules of paraffin plus dye (1000 mg), and omega 3, which received capsules containing flaxseed oil (1000 mg). The Binge Eating Scale (BES) was applied before supplementation and at the end of the study (two months) in order to determine if there was any change in chocolate consumption. After the treatment, there was a significant difference between the BES scores only in the omega 3 group before and after the intervention. The Newman-Keuls post-hoc test showed an increase of DHA in the omega 3 group after supplementation (p < 0.05). Hence, our results suggest that omega 3 fatty acids may be important in mitigating chocolate craving and consumption.
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