The Chocolate Weight Loss Scam

Do you recall the diet that involved chocolate? Online, you may still see 2015 articles that rejoice the discovery that chocolate can aid in weight loss. When it became clear that the entire scheme was fraudulent, some articles were revised, while others had their wording altered after the fact. but not in a negative way.

A journalist by the name of John Bohannon broke the story. He created the fictitious account to illustrate the ease with which news regarding nutrition and health is disseminated without any careful consideration or examination. Nobody verifies the veracity of the report.

It was a true study with 16 people who had a low-carb diet along with a daily chocolate bar. However, the approach was horrible on purpose. The results might have been tainted since the group was too small and there were too many factors present. None of the media outlets that published their story cared that it was terrible science.