Eating chocolate biscuits could help you lose weight, according to scientists who have invented a special formulation to help curb hunger. Researchers at the University of Eastern Piedmont in Italy added a bitter compound from the Artemisia absinthium plant, or common wormwood, to a dark chocolate biscuit.

Some studies have found wormwood may suppress appetite, although scientific evidence is limited. Coca-rich dark chocolate is also thought to support weight loss when eaten in moderation by reducing appetite and sugar cravings. An early study with 11 healthy people found those who ate the special biscuits felt less hungry later and saw an increase in satiety hormones.

Study author Dr Flavia Prodam said the biscuits tasted ”very good and similar to normal cocoa biscuits — very tasty”.

She added: “All the people who ate the biscuit reported lower hunger before dinner. It has already been reported that cocoa and dark chocolate have an effect on satiety. In this biscuit with the bitter compound that effect is even higher.”

Dr Prodam said the biscuit might be acting in a similar way to weight loss jabs, which mimic the action of a hormone called GLP-1.

She explained: “I think the GLP-1 receptor could be modulated specifically by the bitter compound, but we need to investigate this part.”

The team now plans to launch a clinical trial to investigate how the biscuit affects food intake in obese patients. If successful, using this type of snack to reduce hunger could help tackle the problem of comfort eating. 

Dr Prodam said: “This is an important thing to target because we need to educate people to eat less but there is a lot of failure. The emotional part of eating is important in obesity.

“People want comfort foods, so having one that decreases hunger could be a good strategy.

“We treat patients with drugs but I think the basis is lifestyle management, which is very difficult. 

“Motivating people with comfort food could be an important strategy and putting the two together could be very good for patients.”

The findings were presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga,  Spain.

However, not all experts were convinced by the research. Dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton said: “This is a very limited study in just 11 normal weight subjects so, unfortunately, doesn’t prove that adding cocoa or bitters to biscuits makes any difference to appetite or overeating.

“A more effective way of limiting appetite and boosting satiety is to eat more fibre and protein.

“Fibre is low in calories and slows digestion, helping us to feel fuller quicker. Protein has been shown to boost GLP-1 levels which helps appetite control.

“Good options for snacks include boiled eggs, wholemeal toast with peanut butter, seeds, popcorn, pineapple cubes, roasted chickpeas or edamame beans.”