Chocolate bar created that is two thirds water

Chocolate doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure say scientists from the University of Birmingham who have created a chocolate bar that is two-thirds water.

The alternative to regular chocolate tastes, smells and even feels like the real thing. But chocolate lovers will consume less fat by eating it, making it a potentially useful weight loss aid.

The discovery came when the scientists replaced fat particles in chocolate with oil-free substitutes such as waters, air or gels. As well as the ‘water chocolate’ bar the group are using this technique to create a whole new generation of low-fat foods – including a ‘super porridge’ that can keep you full for six hours, thanks to a liquid ingredient that transforms into a gel when reacting with stomach acid. They are also working on a mayonnaise that contains just 5% fat, but which they insist tastes just as good as its full-fat counterpart.

The university group say they are “well advanced” with their work and are currently talking to manufacturers about launching the products. It could pave the way for a new generation of healthy foods that would allow people to lower their calorie intake without having to sacrifice taste. The discovery seems to have come at a particularly appropriate time as the UK government has just launched its Swap it Don't Stop it campaign, aimed at reassure people that they do not have to give up their favourite foods, but instead swap them for healthier alternatives.

Satisfying children’s chocolate cravings

The low-fat chocolate bar in particular would be a useful weapon in the fight against childhood obesity. At present, around 27% of children are obese or overweight in Britain. The rise of couch culture means many children aren’t so motivated to exercise, but by focusing on other means of losing weight, they could be saved from a lifetime's struggle against obesity.