5 reasons why you must eat a chocolate daily

Sweet, mushy, crunchy and dainty, chocolate is that one classic treat which can instantly elevate your mood! But if you are someone who has been ditching on this soulful treat to stay in shape. Then you need to read on as we share 5 reasons why eating chocolate daily can be the best bet to boost health and strike out diseases. Here’s why biting on this delish treat won’t be a matter of guilt anymore!

Most people leave eating chocolate the moment they embark on a fitness plan, but experts believe that this indulgent treat helps in losing weight naturally. As per a study conducted in the University of Copenhagen, it was observed that eating dark chocolate is satiating and reduces odd hunger cravings. It also curbs oily, salty and spicy cravings. So, if you are planning to shed some kilos, include a small portion of dark chocolate to your diet.

A small piece of chocolate daily may help in improving cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. As per a study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) it was found that consuming a moderate amount of pure dark chocolate may help in reducing the risk of developing cardiac disease by one third. Moreover, the presence of antioxidants in chocolates can also help in improving heart health and boost overall immunity.

Chocolate is a mood lifter, it reduces stress, anxiety and this fact is backed by experts all around the world. A small bite of dark chocolate releases a happy hormone in the brain known as Dopamine, which works as a naturally reward mechanism of the brain and helps in elevating the mood.

According to a research conducted by Swiss scientists, it was observed that even an ounce of dark chocolate consumed by people dealing with anxiety and stress everyday for two weeks, resulted in reduced stress hormone levels.

Chocolate a day may keep cancer away, this is because the main ingredient of chocolate-- Cocoa contains a compound known as Pentameric Procyanidin or Pentamer, which reduces the cancer cells’ ability to spread. According to research by the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University, it was observed that when treating cancer cells with Pentamer back in 2005, the proteins necessary for cancer growth were suppressed and the cells stopped dividing as mentioned in a leading daily.

Even a small piece of chocolate can boost brain health and improve memory. A study by the University of Nottingham found that drinking cocoa or consuming cocoa rich chocolates can improve the blood flow to the brain. This is due to the presence of flavanols in cocoa that boosts blood flow to the key parts of the brain for 2 to 3 hours. This inturn improves alertness and boosts brain functioning. It also helps in reducing stress and improves memory.