Updated November 27, 2021 l by Tara E.
Do you love chocolate? Well lucky for you, there are numerous health benefits of eating chocolate! Society often connects chocolate consumption with negative things like weight gain and tooth decay. However, you should not allow public opinion to sway you from gathering your own facts. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of eating chocolate.
Health Benefits of Eating Chocolate
There are many benefits to eating chocolate. Dark chocolate has been shown to improve your mood, appetite control and help you maintain a healthy heart. The advantages of eating too much dark chocolate outweigh the advantages when consumed in moderation. Let’s take a closer look at the health benefits of eating chocolate.
Dark Chocolate for Heart Health
Moderate consumption of chocolate delivers a variety of cardiovascular benefits. For example, in one study of 31,000 women, those who ate one to two servings of dark chocolate each week were one-third less likely to suffer from cardiovascular failure.
Other studies have shown that women who ate dark chocolate also had lower blood pressure readings and a 39 percent less chance of suffering a stroke or heart attack. Another interesting statistic revealed that individuals who survived a heart attack and incorporated eating chocolate two or more times per week reduced their risk of dying from heart disease three times more than those who never ate chocolate.
Eat Chocolate for Weight Loss
Ever experienced a craving for something sweet? Sometimes you just need a tiny piece of chocolate to tie you over to the next meal. It’s no coincidence that you felt satisfied after just a few bites of chocolate. Thanks to the presence of fiber, chocolate provides a temporary feeling of fullness.
Not only can chocolate give us that satisfying feeling of fullness, but it can aid in decreasing the craving for salty snacks like chips. This side effect among others associated with eating chocolate, can prove extremely useful for weight loss plans.
Researchers facilitated a randomized, controlled, cross-over trial of 19 postmenopausal women who consumed 100 grams of chocolate in the morning, one hour after waking or one hour before bedtime to evaluate weight gain impacts associated with chocolate intake. The results of the study demonstrate the following:
- No weight gain among women who ate the chocolate in the morning or afternoon.
- Eating chocolate in the morning can help burn fat and reduce blood glucose levels
- Evening/night chocolate consumption altered resting and exercise metabolism
A 2017 study, which controlled what people consumed, demonstrated that eating raw almonds, dark chocolate and cocoa helped to lower LDL or the “bad” cholesterol in obese individuals.
Chocolate is a Mood Enhancer
Finally, chocolate simply makes us feel good and puts us in a good mood. Apparently, chocolate is rich with a substance known as flavonoids. Flavonoids improve blood flow to the brain. This boost of blood flow creates a feeling of awareness and a wonderful state of alertness.
In closing, eating chocolate is a win-win situation. It’s delicious, and has been shown to have multiple health benefits that outweigh any possible risks associated with its consumption. The advantages of eating dark chocolate far outnumber the alleged disadvantages, so go ahead and add it to your pantry! You can indulge in moderation without feeling guilty about it—just be sure not to overdo it so you don’t run into any negative side effects from excessive sugar intake or weight gain. Remember, when consumed properly, dark chocolate can positively impact your mood while also helping control appetite by releasing endorphins which give you the same feel good sensation as exercising does–without all the sweat!