The Effects of Acute, Sub-chronic, and Chronic Consumption of Different Kinds of Chocolate on Anxiety, Locomotor Activity, and Food Consumption in Male Rats

Abstract

Background: Different nutrients affect brain functions. This research investigated the effects of acute, sub-chronic, and chronic consumption of sucrose and different kinds of chocolate (with various cocoa and carbohydrate percentage) as portable nutrients on anxiety, locomotor activity, food consumption, and body weight differences (BWD) in male rats. Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into five experimental groups: Standard food (control), dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, and sucrose for 14 days. Anxiety and locomotor activities were evaluated on days 1,7, and 14 using open field test (OFT). Then, food consumption and BWD were measured. Findings: The sub-chronic consumption of sucrose and white chocolate significantly decreased total crossing number of OFT compared to control group. Moreover, acute consumption of sucrose tended to significant decreases in central crossing number. The sub-chronic dark chocolate consumption showed a significant enhancement of central crossing number. In different mono-diet of nutrients, the food consumption showed significant decreases in all groups compared to control group. The BWD had significant decreases in the first seven days. In addition, The BWD showed significant decreases in sucrose, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate during the final seven days. Conclusion: Anxiety significantly decreased by sub-chronic consumption of dark chocolate and acute sucrose consumption. Moreover, sub-chronic sucrose and white chocolate consumption decreased locomotor activity in subjects. While, regardless of nutrient types, the mono-diet could cause major weight loss. Further weight loss occurred with a high concentration of cocoa in the dark chocolate mono-diet. © 2022 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.