Dark Chocolate- It Can Help You To Lose Weight! What? These Health Benefits are Astounding!

Valentine’s Day has come and went. 

However, it is never too late to think and plan for next year! 

Considering giving dark chocolate to your loved ones.




Here are some health benefits of dark chocolate:

Lowers Blood Pressure

Cocoa’s polyphenols is flavanol, which stimulates the production of nitric oxide (NO), a vital signaling molecule. When it is produced in the arteries, NO acts as a vasodilator, which relaxing the arteries and causing them to open up, thus bringing down blood pressure! 

Improves Insulin Sensitivity. 

Italian researchers have published results of a study demonstrating that one of the health benefits of dark chocolate is it significantly improved markers of insulin sensitivity. It is able to reduce fasting insulin and glucose levels, as well as insulin and glucose responses to the glucose tolerance test. 

Mediates Inflammation.

Inflammation is a major factor in heart disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and much more. The cocoa flavanols in dark chocolate have been shown to reduce inflammation. They do this by minimizing blood concentrations of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), which is a enzyme in the synthesis of leukotrienes- which is the active compound regarding inflammation.

Raises Protective HDL Cholesterol.

Though it has saturated fat content can get someone to think twice about health benefits, most of that fat is stearic acid, which, unlike other saturated fats, does not have any adverse effects on cholesterol levels. Moreover, dark chocolate actually appears to raise HDL cholesterol, while having no effect on LDL cholesterol. 

Helps You Lose Weight.

Dark chocolate contains caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine which belong to a groups of compounds that actually burn fat! Also, cocoa can assist to suppress your appetite and boosts your sense of well-being.

Reduces Stroke Risk in Women.

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that a benefit of dark chocolate was that it prevents strokes in women. Studies have shown that women with the highest chocolate consumption were 20 percent less likely to suffer a stroke then other women. The reason stated was that cocoa in chocolate contains flavonoids which act as antioxidants in the body which helps LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and contributing to strokes.

Choose high-quality dark chocolate that contains 70 percent cocoa or more.

Unsweetened dark chocolate is bitter and even if it is sweetened, it can also be bitter. It is something you may have to get used to. 

Shop around for a brand you like. Because of its fat and sugar content, dark chocolate is high in calories, so don’t go overboard—

AND SO--- eat it in place of, rather than in addition to, other foods or snacks.

                              Reference- Dr. Julian Whitaker

                         By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

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