Wednesday, July 25, 2012

4 Reasons to Eat Dark Chocolate

Photo used under Creative Commons
from Chotda

1. May Make You Thinner


A recent study by my alma matar, UC San Diego, found that frequent chocolate eaters are thinner. What's key is that it measured a relationship between b.m.i and frequency of chocolate consumption instead of total chocolate consumption. It seems like it is more important to have small amounts of chocolate regularly then to eat a bunch at once. This is good news for me as I consume one square (10 grams) of dark chocolate (≥90% cocoa) every day. 


2. Helps Control Overeating 




A meta-analysis of 42 studies found that frequent chocolate consumption helps control blood-glucose levels, which can help control binge and overeating. Additionally, chocolate's benefits on insulin resistance reduce chances of type 2 diabetes. 


3. Good For The Heart



According to a 2011 meta-analysis of chocolate studies, chocolate consumption was associated with a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease and 29% reduction in stroke. Sounds good to me.


4.  Beautiful Skin



High flavanol levels in dark chocolate may make skin more supple and thick while also bringing more blood flow to the tissue.  This study split women into two groups, one of which drank a high-flavanol drink (cocoa powder mixed with water) and the other a low-flavanol drink. Researchers found that the high-flavonol group had: 
  • increased blood flow to tissue
  • increased skin hydration
  • increased skin density
  • decreased skin roughness and scaling






2 comments:

  1. I am also a huge chocolate fiend! I've been trying to stay away from it because it seems like empty calories, but the benefits are also appealing. I recently heard a random fact that chocolate can help shake persistent coughs because it contains theobromines.

    As you probably know, I'm around chocolate a lot with my boyfriend so it can be hard to deny. Right now 90% is quite bitter for me but I think I'll look into building up to it. Maybe I can have my cake, or at least the chocolate, and eat it too.

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    1. I've heard about the cough thing, too. I wonder how true that is and how much chocolate one would have to eat to reap the benefits of that.

      That would be so difficult for me to be around homemade chocolate all day. I don't know how you do it. Keep up the good work!

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