Recent research has highlighted that chocolate could be good for your diet, sweet news for those who have chocolate cravings.
People who eat moderate amounts of chocolate often tend to be thinner than those who eat it not so often, so say the results of a new study.
The study involved 1,018 healthy men and women who exercised around 3.6 times a week and ate a healthy diet .
The body mass index of those who ate chocolate five times a week was 1 point lower than those who did not regularly eat it.
The findings highlight that the composition of calories, not just how many there are, matters in terms of determining an individual’s ultimate weight.
The lead researcher stated that those who have a regular chocolate habit can relax and not feel bad.
Other studies have demonstrated that dark chocolate can benefit the heart. One study which assessed 100,000 individuals found that those who ate dark chocolate regularly lowered their risk of heart disease by a third.
Cocoa is high in antioxidants known as flavonoids, which combat inflammation, reduce blood pressure and improve overall vascular function. The antioxidants can impact on your metabolism and improve you insulin sensitivity .