According to experts, chocolate is actually a healthy breakfast choice. Scientists have performed extensive research which led them to the conclusion that eating chocolate in the morning is beneficial for your mind as well as for your waistline. Keep reading to find out more about this discovery.
How does eating chocolate in the morning help your waistline?
Researchers at Tel Aviv University conducted a study that lasted 32 weeks which included a group of obese adults who included chocolate in their breakfast. Another group was instructed to follow a reduced diet plan.
The group that lost most weight during the period of 32 weeks was the one that had chocolate as a part of breakfast. The people in this group also managed to maintain their reduced weight more than the participants in the other group.
Chocolate helps in the weight loss process in many ways. It boosts the metabolism of fat and carbohydrate and also makes you feel full longer and reduces the chances of overeating.
Reduced diet plans usually give disappointing results and are very hard to follow.
Angela Green, from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics said “Your body is like a car – fuel is needed to perform. Losing weight is all about calories in versus calories out. The struggle with many diet plans is the feeling of deprivation.”
How does eating chocolate in the morning boost the brain?
Besides providing excellent results when included in the process of weight loss, cacao is also excellent for the brain function and health. Scientists at Syracuse University have conducted a massive and long study and have discovered that cocoa improves several cognitive functions including abstract reasoning and memory. According to the researchers age-related brain damage can also be prevented by regularly eating chocolate.
Cocoa beans are a great source of flavonoids which are very powerful antioxidants. Other studies have also confirmed that eating chocolate improves the blood flow to the brain which results in an improved neural function.
Dr. Daniela Jakubowicz, the lead researcher in this study says that eating chocolate in the morning is particularly beneficial because that is the time when the brain needs energy the most. The nutrients in chocolate quickly provide the brain with the energy it needs.
You should eat good chocolate
Eating any kind of chocolate will not have the same positive effects on your health. The type of chocolate you should eat must have at least 70% of cocoa because the cocoa is the ingredient that provides the weight loss and brain-boosting properties of chocolate.