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How many diets have you been on that you have abandoned due to wanting to eat chocolate? Well, great news for you! Scientists have proven that you don't have to totally deprive yourself of the food of the gods to lose weight. Yes, you have read right. You can still eat chocolate and not destroy your diet. For all of you who do want your chocolate and weight loss too, read on.
There have been two studies conducted recently which concluded that there are health giving benefits in chocolate. Some of the findings were:
* hot chocolate contains more than 5 times the levels of natural antioxidants as those found in black tea.
* cocoa, or hot chocolate, also has more than twice the levels of antioxidants contained in green tea or red wine.
* chocolate is naturally rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and natural antioxidants.
* fat cells from lab mice produced significantly less triglycerides and fat releasing hormones when exposed to phenolic acids and flavonoids.
* hot chocolate, or cocoa, has much higher levels of antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic acids than the usual chocolate bar or candy.
* chocolate does contain fat burning properties, but consume too much chocolate and the fat grams and calories will undo any weight loss campaign.
Health benefits of antioxidants.
Antioxidants are being shown to have increasing health benefits. Natural antioxidants are important for good heart health, repairing damaged cells, turning back the hands of time, reducing the risk of some cancers, and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Along with those impressive benefits we now also have lower triglycerides, the reduction in the manufacture and release of fat hormones, reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, and reduced risk of obesity issues. Researchers have noted that those who consume a well balanced diet high in natural antioxidants seem to have a reduced chance of suffering from weight related health problems.
Other foods that are naturally high in antioxidants are berries, fruits and vegetables (the more colorful the better), red wine, green tea, and some seeds and nuts.
Healthy Weight Loss.
It is important to remember that a well balanced diet along with exercise is the real key to weight loss. Consuming chocolate alone would not be helpful in losing pounds, and there would be many other important nutrients that would be lacking. A well balanced diet would include foods from all the groups mentioned above as well as lean protein.
For those looking to lose weight a little chocolate is not going to sabotage your weight loss efforts. Remember to include the calories, fat grams, and carbohydrates into your daily calculations. Chocolate has many health benefits, but a little goes a long way.
You can have your chocolate cake and lose weight too, just make sure it is a small slice.
Billy Baker (author) has provided a detailed article and relevant video on the benefits in chocolate. Much of Billy's information comes from research and the popular Mediterranean diet.
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