For many people around the world, chocolate is an irresistible delight that they can’t have enough of. However, since childhood, you must have heard how overeating this delectable can cause health ailments, weight gain, and cavities. What if someone tells the adult that eating chocolate, especially dark chocolate can help you lose weight? Will you believe them without researching?
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Each and every food item has some benefit for your health. You have to understand what works best for your body. Even if dark chocolate has many benefits for your health, you cannot gulp down bar after bar. Instead of benefiting your health, it will end up causing more harm. Here is the truth behind dark chocolate helping weight loss.
What Does Study Say About Dark Chocolate Aiding In Weight Loss?
A study published by Nutrients in November 2020 said that though dark chocolate contains polyphenols, it also has sugar and fat. Moreover, to make it appeal to your taste buds, one has to add more sugar to it, which will make it difficult for it to help you with weight loss. There are no conclusive studies that can give you a 100% guarantee for weight loss if you gulp down dark chocolates. It is highly likely to affect your health negatively if you overdo it.
While dark chocolate might not be your knight in shining armour when it comes to weight loss, it has a few health benefits that will convince you to make it a part of your diet, but in moderation. It is definitely a superfood, loaded with other nutrients. Note down a few of its benefits.
Dark Chocolate Can Uplift Mood
Published by The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry in September 2021, the study said that if dark chocolate is made of 87% of cocoa, it can potentially improve your mood. Therefore, many people crave chocolate when they are feeling gloomy or anxious.
In fact, many menstruators prefer to eat dark chocolate during periods because it helps them feel better. It is associated with releasing dopamine and serotonin in the body, which are happy hormones.
Dark Chocolate Can Benefit Heart Health
According to a study published by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that since dark chocolate contains flavonoids, it can potentially benefit your heart. It promotes the production of nitric oxide which can relieve blood vessels and promote blood circulation. Thus, it can be helpful for people trying to manage blood pressure, but it must be consumed in small amounts.
Dark Chocolate Can Benefit The Skin
A report published in the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health pointed out that dark chocolate is rich in nutrients like copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, flavonols, and copper. These minerals are considered good for the skin because they boost collagen production, especially magnesium. According to the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, a report published in 2009 concluded that high levels of antioxidants in dark chocolate can protect the skin from the effects of the UV rays from sunlight.
Apart from the aforementioned benefits, there are other ways in which dark chocolate can be good for you. You must ensure to consume it in moderation. You can also replace it with milk chocolate in dessert recipes for a guilt-free trip down the sweet dishes lane.