Eating dark chocolate has three possibilities that will happen to the body. Dark chocolate is the healthiest type of chocolate, containing beneficial nutrients such as polyphenols, flavonols, and catechins.
Some people may want to try snacking and insert chocolate into their diet. So, is dark chocolate good for weight loss?
There are three benefits to the body when consuming dark chocolate. What are those?
Benefits of eating dark chocolate
1. Reduce hunger and appetite
The deliciousness of dark chocolate has the potential to reduce hunger and provide a feeling of fullness – so that it can ultimately help you lose weight.
According to a study in the journal Nutrition and Diabetes, dark chocolate can increase satiety, reduce cravings for sweet foods and reduce calorie intake compared to milk chocolate.
Although further research is still needed, several other studies have also reported similar findings regarding the benefits of chocolate for the diet, incredibly dark chocolate.
2. Improve insulin sensitivity
Dark chocolate is reported to increase the sensitivity of the body’s cells to insulin, an important hormone that plays a role in energy use. This effect can reduce insulin levels in the blood, associated with weight loss and reduced fat stores.
Consumption of dark chocolate also can control and prevent fluctuations in blood sugar, which can also reduce your desire to eat sweet foods.
3. Improve mood
Dark chocolate for diet is also beneficial indirectly because it helps improve mood. With a positive attitude, some people can control what they eat and avoid the urge to “chew” and overeat.
According to research in the journal Depression and Anxiety, people who eat dark chocolate experience a more negligible risk of depressive symptoms than people who don’t regularly consume this chocolate.
Chocolate is not a powerful solution for weight loss
Although chocolate’s many benefits for weight loss, it is essential to remember that chocolate is not a magic food for weight loss. In the end, no single food can magically make you skinny without a calorie deficit.
Chocolate is relatively high in calories and fat. For every 28 grams of dark chocolate, there are 155 calories with almost 9 grams of fat. Some chocolate products on the market are also high in sugar, which can be harmful to diet and health if consumption is not controlled. Make sure you choose chocolate products carefully and pay attention to the nutritional value information.
Tips for choosing chocolate for diet
When inserting chocolate into your diet, you can look for dark chocolate products with a high cocoa content. Choose dark chocolate products that contain at least 70% cocoa because the higher the cocoa percentage, the lower the sugar content.
In one day or one meal while on a diet, you are advised to consume a maximum of 28 grams of dark chocolate, contributing 155 calories. Drinking too much chocolate can increase your calorie intake – thus ultimately ruining your diet.
Remember that you must be in a calorie deficit to lose weight. A calorie deficit means that the calories you take from food must be less than the energy your body needs or burns.
How to enjoy chocolate for a diet
To enjoy eating chocolate for a diet, follow these tips can be applied so that your weight loss efforts are not dull:
- Consume small pieces of dark chocolate after dinner, pay attention to the calories of each piece
- Make chocolate drink from high-quality cocoa powder without sugar
- Sprinkle dark chocolate powder into fruit and vegetable smoothies
- Sprinkle dark chocolate powder on a bowl of oatmeal
