Chocolate Love
Do you feel guilty after eating several pieces of chocolate? Well, fear not! Today we're talking about all the health benefits of eating chocolate. Keep reading to learn more.
Better Mood
First of all, chocolate tastes great! Your mood will definitely improve after just one bite. But just to be sure, there has actually been several studies to confirm that theory. Scholly and Owen (2013) confirmed that eating chocolate did in fact improve the mood of the general public. So if you're having a bad day and need a pick-me-up, reach for a small bite of chocolate. You'll get some health benefits plus it'll put you in a better mood.
Lowers Bad Cholesterol
Moreover, the news keeps getting sweeter for chocolate lovers. Several studies have confirmed that eating dark chocolate may lower your LDL cholesterol. In case you forgot, LDL is the bad cholesterol. A Tufts University Health and Nutrition letter showed that dark chocolate will lower your bad cholesterol if consumed with a diet that doesn’t increase your overall body weight. That’s great news if you love chocolate but you also love an active lifestyle.
Speaking of exercise, did you know that working out will elevate your good cholesterol? So if chocolate lowers your bad cholesterol, and exercise raises your good cholesterol, that means exercise and chocolate may be the perfect combination for health. Grab a piece of chocolate, your favorite music, and head to the gym for a great workout!
And if you want to learn more about exercise science and sports nutrition, click the image below to review some of our classes.
Memory
If you eat chocolate, I am certain you are going to remember this article. How can I be so certain? Cock (2018) published a study showing the positive effects of chocolate on your memory. Not only does chocolate improve memory, but it also reduces stress and inflammation in your brain and body. So chocolate is great for your body AND your brain!
And if you need help creating workouts or meal plans, Click the image below to contact a PFTA certified personal trainer.
Vitamins and Minerals
In addition, chocolate provides vitamins and minerals that are requirements in your diet. Chocolate contains minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium for better health. Chocolate also has B vitamins and polyphenols. These polyphenols act like antioxidants and help fight off heart disease. When eaten in moderation, chocolate also has vitamins and minerals to keep your metabolism going. Besides eating chocolate, there are other ways to boost your metabolism. Click the image below for other tips on boosting your metabolism.
Caffeine
Moreover, chocolate contains caffeine that may be beneficial for your workouts. I'm not saying chocolate is the best pre-workout, but it can get your going. Chocolate has both, caffeine and sugar, which are beneficial for working out.
In fact, caffeine has been proven to help with weight loss and sports performance. Click this link to learn more about all the benefits of caffeine with exercise.
Strawberries
Sometimes, strawberries and chocolate go hand in hand. And lucky for you, there are also health benefits to eating strawberries. So if you like chocolate covered strawberries, you can rest easy knowing your treat is both delicious and nutritious. Click the image below to learn more about the health benefits of strawberries.
Knowledge is Power
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Summary
As you can see there are many health benefits to eating a piece of chocolate. I'm not saying to increase your intake of chocolate, I'm just removing any guilt if you already eat chocolate. Remember, the key is moderation.
Speaking of moderation, drinking wine in moderation can also be a good thing. Click the image below to learn more about the health benefits of wine. Happy health and happy training!
Written By
RAescobar, PFTA instructor and personal trainer
Sources:
Cock, I. E. “The Consumption of Dark Chocolate Reduces Stress and Inflammation and Improves Memory and Immunity.” Pharmacognosy Communications, vol. 8, no. 4, Oct. 2018, p. 168.
“Dark Chocolate Combats Unhealthy Cholesterol.” Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter, vol. 29, no. 10, Dec. 2011, p. 8.
Scholey, Andrew, and Lauren Owen. “Effects of Chocolate on Cognitive Function and Mood: A Systematic Review.” Nutrition Reviews, vol. 71, no. 10, Oct. 2013, pp. 665–681.