Another Reason to Love Chocolate?

A new study by researchers at the University of Illinois suggests that three of the phenolic compounds in cocoa bean shells have powerful effects on the fat and immune cells in mice, potentially reversing the chronic inflammation and insulin resistance associated with obesity. Similar to batteries within cells that burn fat and glucose to generate energy, mitochondria can become damaged when high levels of fat, glucose and inflammation occur in the body, de Mejia said. When the scientists treated adipocytes with the aqueous extract or the three phenolic compounds individually, damaged mitochondria in the cells were repaired and less fat accumulated in the adipocytes, blocking inflammation and restoring the cells' insulin sensitivity, Rebollo-Hernanz said. https://www.technologynetworks.com/drug-discovery/news/another-reason-to-love-chocolate-320922?utm_campaign=NEWSLETTER_TN_Breaking%20Science%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=73914729&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8Pg3OaauZc5xCkDUT_UikCjSnEWryENtKW_If3vQCsBHIll4Sgj9rs-YDvyzW84RGScREub-5MpggwZsERa7-VQOW0Vg&_hsmi=73914729