If you’re a chocoholic, you’ll be glad to know that it’s actually possible to lose weight while eating chocolate. This is especially true in regard to dark chocolate and cocoa as they contain high levels of flavonoids. Flavonoids are chemical compounds that provide a number of health benefits. Among the various benefits attributed to flavonoids are reduced risks of cancer, heart disease, asthma or stroke. Flavonoids also help to maintain a healthy heart and blood vessels.

Unlike dark chocolate, conventional chocolate tends to lose seventy to eighty percent of its nutritional benefits, or flavonoids during the manufacturing process.

While consuming excessive amounts of chocolate is unhealthy, regardless of the type; white chocolate should be avoided altogether during your campaign to lose weight. White chocolate doesn’t contain the cocoa base that’s present in other types of chocolate. Consequently, it generally contains excessive amounts of fattening cocoa butter and milk. Due to its lack of genuine cocoa bean content or the associated nutrients, many argue that ‘white chocolate’ isn’t actual chocolate. Also, you’d be wise to eat milk chocolate sparingly because of its similarities to white chocolate.

The flavonoids in dark chocolate have powerful antioxidants that protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals are generally linked to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity. Antioxidants help to prevent the accumulation of fat cells that often lead to the aforementioned diseases.

Dark chocolate also has several mood altering chemicals that may reduce your cravings for sweets, fatty foods or salt. It’s also possible to blend certain types of herbs with chocolate in order to help your body produce more energy. Herbs such as Green Tea, Ginseng, Gota Kola, Licorice Root or Kelp are ideal.

Consuming dark chocolate in reasonable amounts can definitely be beneficial in your crusade to lose weight. However, dark chocolate shouldn’t be utilized as a substitute for vegetables, fruits or other foods that contain flavonoids. Additionally, you’d be wise to purchase chocolate from merchants who specialize in creating healthy products. GNC offers a number of healthy chocolate choices. CocoaVia chocolate bars are especially created to reduce bad cholesterol, facilitate healthy circulation and promote a healthy heart as it contains Vitamins B6, B12.

Moreover, the video below thoroughly explains the benefits of dark chocolate and antioxidants. The video was created by the Xocai Corporation and runs for approximately 9 minutes. Aside from trying Xocai chocolate bars for myself, I’m not affiliated with the company in any way. If you decided to try Xocai chocolate for yourself, I wouldn’t benefit in any manner aside from experiencing the personal satisfaction that comes from helping someone.

1. Dark chocolate helps to reduce fat cells. Although dark chocolate contains fat burning properties, too much consumption will obviously hinder progress or cause weight gain.
2. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is naturally rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids and natural antioxidants.
3. Hot chocolate contains high levels of natural antioxidants. Cocoa contains more than twice the levels of antioxidants enclosed in red wine or green tea.
4. Dark chocolate can improve digestion and stimulate kidneys
5. Dark chocolate can decrease high blood pressure, improve circulation and reduce the chances of heart disease.
6. Dark chocolate is often used in treating patients with kidney stones, anemia or poor appetites.

• CocoaVia Chocolate Bars
• Dove Dark Chocolates
• Ghirardelli Dark Chocolates
• Godiva Dark Chocolates
• Hershey’s Dark Chocolate
• Luker Tumaco Extra Dark Chocolate
• Nirvana Dark Chocolates
• Various Dark Chocolates from GNC
• Vegan Chocolate Bar
• Xocai Mega Antioxidant Bars Healthy Chocolate

Now that you know that it’s actually possible to lose weight while eating chocolate, I sincerely hope that you’re encouraged to obtain your optimum weight. In any event, enjoy!