Chocolate has a bad reputation. It’s associated with breakouts of the skin and is often considered a junk food. You might be surprised to learn, however, that not all chocolates are bad. In fact, some chocolate, if used properly, can actually assist you in losing weight!
Dark chocolate, the richest and most decadent of all chocolates, is actually very helpful in weight loss.
Before looking at the benefits of dark chocolate, you should know how it differs from regular chocolates. Most milk chocolates and certainly the majority of white chocolate contain huge amounts of sugar.
This makes these delicious treats horrible for your health, thus giving the reputation chocolate has of being bad for your skin and weight.
On the other hand, dark chocolate is made primarily of pure cocoa powder, which has amazing health benefits. The more condensed the dark chocolate is, or the higher its cocoa content, the better.
But dark chocolate isn’t just better for you than milk or white chocolate. It also has weight loss properties.
Studies have shown that dark chocolate has extremely high fiber contents. Fiber is an integral part of what the body needs to stay healthy. It decreases how much fat the body absorbs and, even in small amounts, can make you feel fuller.
[Read: Healthy Food Swaps to Cut Calories!]
The fuller you feel, the less you eat, and soon you’ll begin to see your smaller portions pay off with weight loss.
One of the biggest reasons for overeating is depression. It’s a natural instinct.
When you’re sad or overwhelmed, sometimes the most instinctual thing to do is dig into something, usually something very unhealthy.
This is another area where dark chocolate is a benefit. It contains a chemical called resveratrol, which is a very strong antioxidant that can increase the body’s production of serotonin.
Serotonin works in the body as an all-natural anti-depressant and can help stabilize moods. Also, a lot of times dark chocolate is infused with elements like wine and green tea, which are also antioxidants that help serotonin production.
So, if you snack on dark chocolate, you’ll find your mood lightening and your disposition changing to be more positive. This will make you less likely to turn to unhealthy snacks, allowing you to lose weight.
The cacao beans that are used to make dark chocolate are high in a few nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. The most drastic of these nutrients is magnesium.
Unfortunately, the majority of people today don’t get the amounts of magnesium that they need to stay healthy.
But cacao beans, and therefore dark chocolate, are one of the primary sources of magnesium in the world. By equalizing your magnesium levels, you’re giving your body what it needs to stay healthy and lose weight.
[Also Read: Best Foods for Weight Loss]
While there are several foods and snacks out there that are good for your body, few are as delicious as dark chocolate and even fewer offer the amazing weight loss benefits as it. So, if you’re looking for a decadent snack that will also help you lose weight, look no further than dark chocolate.
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