How much dark chocolate should you eat a day to lose weight?
Therefore, while dark chocolate can likely fit into a weight loss diet, it's important to stick to high quality varieties and avoid going overboard. For best results, stick to around 1 ounce (28 grams) at a time and pick a product that's low in added sugar and contains at least 70% cocoa.
This article takes a closer look at the research to determine whether dark chocolate can help you lose weight.
Due to its recent superfood status, many people also wonder whether dark chocolate may aid weight loss.
In fact, it has been linked to a number of health benefits, including improved heart health, decreased inflammation, and enhanced brain function ( 2 ).
Thanks to dark chocolate’s content of beneficial compounds like polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins, it’s often hailed as a health food ( 1 ).
Dark chocolate may offer several potential benefits when it comes to weight loss.
Improves insulin sensitivity
Some research suggests that dark chocolate could help improve your body’s sensitivity to insulin, the hormone responsible for shuttling sugar out of your bloodstream and into your cells where it can be used for energy ( 3 ).
This can help decrease levels of insulin in the blood, which may be associated with increased weight loss and reduced fat storage ( 4 , 5 , 6 ).
Although more research is needed, some small studies have also found that dark chocolate may help improve blood sugar control ( 7 , 8 ).
This may help prevent spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to symptoms like increased hunger ( 9 ).
Decreases hunger and appetite
Studies show that dark chocolate may reduce cravings and promote feelings of fullness, which may help support weight loss.
In one study in 12 women, smelling and eating dark chocolate decreased appetite and reduced levels of ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates hunger ( 10 ).
Another small study in 16 people compared the effects of milk chocolate and dark chocolate and found that participants felt less hungry and more full and satisfied after eating dark chocolate ( 11 ).
Furthermore, they also consumed 17% fewer calories at a subsequent meal, compared with participants who ate milk chocolate ( 11 ).
Similarly, a study in 14 postmenopausal women showed that consuming dark chocolate led to greater reductions in food intake, compared with eating white and milk chocolate ( 12 ).
Still, more research is needed to evaluate how dark chocolate may affect appetite and food intake, compared with other foods.
Enhances mood
Several studies have found that dark chocolate may positively affect mental health and mood, which can ensure that you feel your very best to help promote weight loss ( 13 ).
According to one study in 13,626 people, those who consumed higher amounts of dark chocolate had 57% lower odds of experiencing depressive symptoms than those who did not regularly consume dark chocolate ( 14 ).
In another small study, eating 1.5 ounces (40 grams) of dark chocolate daily reduced stress levels in women over 2 weeks ( 15 ).
What’s more, a study in 72 adults showed that consuming a dark chocolate drink for 30 days led to increased feelings of self-rated calmness and contentedness, compared with a placebo ( 16 ).
Additional research is needed to determine whether the potential mood-boosting benefits of dark chocolate may be beneficial for weight loss.
Can you have high DHT and no hair loss?
It's not the amount of testosterone or DHT that causes baldness; it's the sensitivity of your hair follicles. That sensitivity is determined by...
walnuts For researchers, walnuts are the top nut for brain health. Particularly, for this reason: They have a significantly high concentration of DHA, a type of Omega-3 fatty acid. Some researchers suggest that DHA may be the key to boosting your brain's performance and preventing age-related cognitive decline.
Eating nuts may offer you many health benefits. However, there are only a few that researchers deem to be a must-have for brain health. A newly published study says that walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds could be a preventive agent against cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
If you don’t have an allergy to nuts, including them into your diet may provide you with some brain boosting benefits. Here are some additional facts:
Walnuts
For researchers, walnuts are the top nut for brain health. Particularly, for this reason: They have a significantly high concentration of DHA, a type of Omega-3 fatty acid. Some researchers suggest that DHA may be the key to boosting your brain’s performance and preventing age-related cognitive decline. Researchers also suggest that walnuts and walnut oil may also keep reduce stress. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, reports participants who consumed walnuts and walnut oil not only reduced their LDL levels, but also showed significant drops in resting blood pressure and, most surprisingly, in their blood pressure response to stress.
Almonds & Hazelnuts
Almonds and Hazelnuts contain a high concentration of vitamin E, which is why researchers believe that regular intake could potentially reduce cognitive decline. One study reports that high plasma vitamin E levels were repeatedly associated with better cognitive performance. The study also shows that due to its antioxidant properties, the ability of vitamin E to prevent or delay cognitive decline has been tested in clinical trials in both aging population and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients.
How do I know if turmeric is working?
Unfortunately, turmeric doesn't offer a quick fix, so you'll need to take it daily to notice results. If you were wondering how long it takes...
Prostate Restored
Photo: Mikhail Nilov
Promotion
Promotion
Promotion
Promotion