Are you a chocoholic?

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Experts in the West are looking for women to take part in a study to find out if exercise can help people lose their cravings for chocolate.

The research is being carried out by the Department of Psychology at the University of the West of England.

Dr James Byron-Daniel told Heart more, "There is evidence that exercise stimulates the same part of the brain as drinking and smoking mimicking the 'feel-good' effect, the same kind of effect that is seen when people eat chocolate and sugary snacks. We know that short bursts of exercise can lead to temporary reductions in the cravings associated with smoking for example, and it may also be the case that such exercise could help reduce cravings for sugary foods, like chocolate. This is what we will be exploring in this study, collecting data to expand current research in this area with the long term aim of helping people who are trying to lose weight with their cravings for chocolate.

"As a starting point for this study, we are inviting female participants between the ages of 18-40 who are non-exercisers and who experience chocolate cravings to come to the University. They will take part in a very brief, 15-20 minute walk around the campus and complete some questionnaires to monitor responses during and after exercise."

The study will run until the end of August 2011.

If you are interested in taking part or would like any further information please contact researcher James Byron-Daniel on 0117 32 81534 or e-mail: James.Byron-Daniel@uwe.ac.uk Names and details of participants will be strictly confidential.

For more info on events at UWE go to: http://http//info.uwe.ac.uk/events/