Best diet news ever!

It seems like news that really is too good to be true.

 

Rather than being a major factor in piling on the pounds, eating large amounts of chocolate is one of the best ways to lose weight, a study has found.

 

Spanish researchers examined the diets and healthy activities of 1,500 teenagers aged between 12 and 17 in nine European countries, including Spain and the UK.

 

They found that people who admitted eating large amounts of chocolate had, on average, far lower levels of fat over their bodies.

 

In particular, they were trimmer around the stomach area - regardless of whether they had an active lifestyle or were on a diet.

 

Chocolate was also found to have a positive effect on circulation, blood pressure and heart health.

 

The study, from the University of Granada, backs up earlier findings from the University of California that suggested regular chocolate eaters have less body fat.

 

This may be because while chocolate contains more calories than many other foods, it appears to make the metabolism work harder, offsetting the fat that otherwise might hang around.

 

There's also the issue of denial. A recent poll found that 86 per cent of slimmers who carried on enjoying their favourite treats successfully lost weight.

 

Janet Aylott, a nutrition scientist for Nutracheck, which commissioned the survey, said: ‘Extensive research has proven that diets centred around food elimination are much more likely to fail.

 

‘The key is to take a more relaxed approach and to have a little of what you like.’

 

Previous research has shown that dieters who completely eliminate treats such as chocolate, wine and biscuits  are often more likely to put on weight as they ‘compensate’ by eating more of  other foods.

 

One study even showed that as many as 65 per cent of those who give up all treats actually end up ballooning in weight.

 

 

Another recent study from the University of Cambridge found people who enjoyed chocolate every day were 29 per cent less likely to have a stroke and 37 per cent less likely to suffer with heart disease than those who avoided it most of the time.

 

It is the flavonoids in cocoa beans - a key ingredient in chocolate - that seem responsible for the health benefits of chocolate. These flavonoids (also found in tea and red wine) act as antioxidants, which help mop up an excess of cell-damaging free radicals.

 

As a rule, the higher the cocoa content, the more flavonoids and the greater the health benefits - dark chocolate with 40 per cent cocoa solids contains five times more flavonoids than white chocolate and twice as many as milk chocolate. (Via)

 

 

6 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

 

1) Dark Chocolate is Good for Your Heart

 

Studies show that eating a small amount of dark chocolate two or three times each week can help lower your blood pressure. Dark chocolate improves blood flow and may help prevent the formation of blood clots. Eating dark chocolate may also prevent arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

 

2) Dark Chocolate is Good for Your Brain

 

Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart, so it can help improve cognitive function. Dark chocolate also helps reduce your risk of stroke.

 

3) Dark Chocolate Helps Control Blood Sugar

 

Dark chocolate helps keep your blood vessels healthy and your circulation unimpaired to protect against type 2 diabetes. The flavonoids in dark chocolate also help reduce insulin resistance by helping your cells to function normally and regain the ability to use your body's insulin efficiently. Dark chocolate also has a low glycemic index, meaning it won't cause huge spikes in blood sugar levels.

 

4) Dark Chocolate is Full of Antioxidants

 

Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants help free your body of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to cells. Free radicals are implicated in the aging process and may be a cause of cancer, so eating antioxidant rich foods like dark chocolate can protect you from many types of cancer and slow the signs of aging.

 

5) Dark Chocolate Contains Theobromine

 

Dark chocolate contains theobromine, which has been shown to harden tooth enamel. That means that dark chocolate, unlike most other sweets, lowers your risk of getting cavities if you practice proper dental hygiene.

 

Theobromine is also a mild stimulant, though not as strong as caffeine. It can, however, help to suppress coughs.

 

6) Dark Chocolate is High in Vitamins and Minerals

 

Dark chocolate contains a number of vitamins and minerals that can support your health. Dark chocolate contains some of the following vitamins and minerals in high concentrations:

 

• Potassium
• Copper
• Magnesium
• Iron

 

The copper and potassium in dark chocolate help prevent against stroke and cardiovascular ailments. The iron in chocolate protects against iron deficiency anemia, and the magnesium in chocolate helps prevent type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.