Chocolate bar for fat conscious people
London: Want to shed flab but cannot resist
your sugar craving? Here comes a low-fat chocolate with a 60
per cent water content, but taste that is "identical" to
regular bars.
The "healthy" chocolate bar, invented by researchers at
University of Birmingham, replaces a normal chocolate bar`s
fat particles with calorie-free substances such as water, air
or gels.Experts said the breakthrough could help tackle obesity
crisis by producing a "new generation of low-fat foods".
Researchers are also developing a low-fat mayonnaise and
porridge which stays in the stomach for a longer period, thus
avoiding frequent hunger pangs, The Telegraph reported.
"Small and stable air bubbles designed to resemble oil
droplets in terms of their size and physical properties can be
used to produce a new generation of low fat foods," said lead
researcher Dr Philip Cox.
The team, which is in negotiation to develop their
research, created the "water-chocolate" by connecting water
particles with cocoa butter crystals.
The bar, which contains about 60 per cent water, was
found to have the same taste, smell and feel as a regular bar.
Because the particles are so small, they also found the
new bar could even melt at between 89F and 93F (32-34C).A similar technique has been known to reduce a food`s
salt content by up to 80 per cent because water is hidden
inside oil droplets. This means only an outer skin contains
any salt.
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.
Prof Ian Norton, who is overseeing the research, said:
"It remains there for five to six hours, so is perfect for
between meals. We are well advanced with the work and are
already talking to manufacturers about creating products based
on our research".
Norton said the new mayonnaise tasted identical to
full-fat produce but with just five per cent fat.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, February 20, 2010, 00:00
Comments
Post your Comments
Most liked Comments