Is there such thing as healthy chocolate?

Indulging in chocolate

Chocolate is a treat that many of us indulge in, despite telling ourselves that we should only allow ourselves one piece. But now, scientists may have an answer to the guilt we feel.

Scientists from the University of Birmingham have invented a 'healthy' chocolate, in which they have replaced fat with water.

The low-fat chocolate, containing almost 60 percent water, is said to taste identical to regular bars and could pave the way for a new generation of 'healthy' foods.

Researchers are also developing a low-fat mayonnaise and porridge which prevents people from feeling hungry by staying in their stomach longer, the British paper The Telegraph reports.

Obesity

Experts said the breakthroughs could help tackle Britain's obesity crisis by producing a "new generation of low-fat foods."

Recent figures showed that child obesity has risen in England from 10 percent of children in 1995 to 17 percent in 2008 - while almost one in four adults in Britain are now considered obese.

Scientists discovered they could replace a normal chocolate bar's fat particles with calorie-free substances such as water, air or gels. The team, which are in negotiations to develop their research, created the 'water-chocolate' by then connecting water particles with cocoa butter crystals.

Food which undergoes this process would also smell the same as its usually would and have the same texture, according to the researchers.

Because the particles are so small, they also discovered the new 'healthy' bar could even melt at between 89F and 93F (32-34C). "It is possible that small, stable, air bubbles designed to resemble oil droplets in terms of their size and physical properties could be used to produce a new generation of low fat foods," said Dr. Philip Cox, who led the research.

"Super porridge"

A similar technique has been known to reduce a food's salt content by up to 80 percent because water is hidden inside oil droplets. This means only an outer skin contains any salt.

In addition, the researchers said their new "super porridge" can last in a person's stomach for up to six hours because liquid changes into a gel after coming into contact with stomach acid.

Professor Ian Norton, who is overseeing the research, said, "We are well advanced with the work and are already talking to manufacturers about creating products based on our research."

Jodie Humphries

Jodie Humphries graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA Hons in Creative Writing in 2008. She has worked for GDS Publishing for the digital group since July 2009. She has previous experience with writing for the web, running her own website since April 2007.

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