Should You Eat Dark Chocolate To Lose Weight?

Dark chocolate and weight loss go hand in hand if you consume moderately. There is no doubt that people have told you to stay away from chocolate if you are on a weight loss journey. However, it is time to break the taboo and make yourself aware that having dark chocolate to lose weight is a great idea. Dark chocolate also helps stabilise blood sugar, control appetite, and reduce cravings.

And no, we are not asking you to eat chocolates like the world is ending tomorrow but we are also not asking you to omit them from your diet, as dark chocolate is good for weight loss. Chocolates are known to be comfort foods for a reason. It is a proven fact that they help to improve your mood and curb your desire to consume other comfort foods. In the case of dark chocolates, they help you reduce weight too.

There have been significant studies that show how dark chocolate for weight loss can be an excellent addition to your weight loss diet. A particular piece of the study showed that smelling and eating dark chocolate might result in decreased appetite and reduced levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone. In December 2016, an article published in the Journal of Nutritional Science stated that dark chocolate contains phytonutrients called flavonoids. These are plant chemicals that act as antioxidants and may play a role in weight loss, heart health, and cancer prevention.

Consuming Dark Chocolate to Lose Weight

Given below are the ways in which dark chocolates help you reduce weight and can be a great addition to your weight loss diet:

1. Improves Metabolism 

We all know that dark chocolate is extremely yummy and one of the most popular snacks to binge on. However, when consumed in the appropriate amount, it undoubtedly passes as the yummiest option for good metabolism. 

According to studies, dark chocolate benefits weight loss. Studies show that if you eat 40g of dark chocolate a day, it will not only help in boosting your metabolism but will also improve your gut health. Therefore, resulting in better digestion. However, do not confuse these benefits with milk chocolate and white chocolate. They do not share the same benefits as dark chocolate. 

The good news is that it alters and improves metabolism. The presence of monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) in dark chocolate is known to boost metabolism, which ultimately causes the body to burn calories faster than normal. Chocolate affects how our body synthesises fatty acids and slows the absorption of fats and carbohydrates, which ultimately results in healthy weight loss. There, the use of dark chocolate to lose weight becomes suitable.

2. Prevents Insulin Spike 

Dark chocolate is made up of many nutrients like a substance called polyphenol. This is a naturally occurring compound that has antioxidant properties. This compound may help improve insulin sensitivity or the functioning of insulin in the body. Apart from this, dark chocolate benefits weight loss too. This is what might help control blood sugar, according to a research published in Endocrine Abstracts. This improved insulin sensitivity may prevent any onset of diabetes. 

According to a study published by the journal, Appetite, people who consume chocolate at least once a week, in appropriate amounts, had a lower prevalence of diabetes and were at lower risk for diabetes four to five years down the lane.

Not only this, even if you already have diabetes, dark chocolate can still be beneficial in some ways. Research presented by ARYA Atherosclerosis showed that people with Type 2 diabetes, who consumed 25 grams of dark chocolate for eight weeks had lower blood pressure after the completion of those eight weeks in comparison to those who ate white chocolate during those eight weeks. So apart from helping you lose weight, dark chocolates help control the rising blood sugar levels.

3. Reduces Stress-Induced Weight Gain 

Experiencing a high level of stress can also lead to weight gain. Stress can cause an increase in the level of cortisol, a hormone that increases blood sugar and hampers the immune system. Stress can also result in a person bingeing on unhealthy foods, automatically causing unhealthy weight gain. Dark chocolates satiate these cravings. This is one of the reasons you should trust dark chocolate to reduce weight.

Now, how is dark chocolate and weight loss related? Let us remind you that dark chocolate is known to be comfort food for a reason! It releases endorphin and serotonin – these two brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) are very helpful in reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. So, do consider incorporating small amounts of dark chocolate into your stress-management plan.

4. Helps Curb Cravings 

We get cravings for chocolates and sweets every now and then. Consuming small amounts of dark chocolates as part of your healthy diet plan for weight loss can help reduce those cravings, which might help minimise the risk of overconsumption. Having dark chocolate squares every day can help avoid the temptation of indulging in the consumption of larger amounts of other snacks that may contain higher amounts of sugar, ultimately leading to weight gain. Hence, now you know how dark chocolate and weight loss go hand in hand.

5. Encourages You to Exercise 

Since we all are aware that dark chocolate helps in weight loss and is known to be a comfort food for a reason, we now know how it makes us feel better and happier. 

Including dark chocolate among other good foods for weight loss can help you attain great results. With a better mood and less stress and anxiety, we would be motivated to take care of ourselves in a better way. It comes naturally to us to indulge in self-care if we feel good. 

Dark chocolate is made of coca, which contains polyphenols, which have a positive impact on our sense of well-being. It also contains anandamide, known as the bliss chemical which helps in elevating our mood, ultimately encouraging us to take good care of ourselves. So, eating dark chocolates to lose weight will assure you positive results. 

6. Enhances the Daily Diet

How does dark chocolate reduce weight when it has high amounts of fat? It is precisely what makes the process of digestion slower. The fat it contains makes you feel full for a longer duration. 

It also consists of caffeine which revs the metabolism, increasing the number of calories that the body burns while resting. But that doesn’t mean the calories in the chocolate itself don’t count.

So, unlike consuming dark chocolate like it’s the only food, you should consume it in appropriate amounts to reap all the benefits it has to offer. Only then you can count it under the list of foods to help lose weight.

When we talk about dark chocolate, we strictly mean dark chocolate only, which has 60% cocoa or more. Chocolate comes in many forms and most of them are high in sugar and fats, so choosing the right chocolate is also important. 

Conclusion

Apart from a balanced diet and exercise, you can include dark chocolate to lose weight faster. It would help you manage your blood sugar levels, satiate your cravings, and encourage you towards a positive mood and a healthy life. So, when are you including dark chocolates in your daily lives?