Harness the power of chocolate!
A recent news report based on a new study shows that individuals who eat chocolate regularly are skinnier than those individuals who are not regular consumers.
This news made quite a buzz in the chocoholic’s world and with good reason because chocolate lovers always like more good reasons to justify eating gourmet chocolate. The latest study, and the first of it’s kind, that was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, lead author Dr. Beatrice Golomb states, “It’s not the case that eating the largest amounts of chocolate that is beneficial, it’s that eating it more often that is favorable.”
She also adds, “In the case of chocolate, this is good news both for those who have a regular chocolate habit, and those who may wish to start one.”
There is more good news to help you understand what the reasons are behind chocolate and weight loss. We know from previous studies that chocolate helps boost serotonin levels in the body. What is serotonin? Serotonin is a natural occurring chemical in the brain a.k.a. a neurotransmitter and it also a natural appetite suppressant. When a person consumes chocolate the body converts it into ‘tryptophan’, the building block for ‘serotonin’ that is then turned into ‘melatonin’. (This may explain why some people who eat raw organic chocolate have claimed that they sleep better. I happen to be one of those people and sleep fantastic since consuming raw organic dietary chocolate.)
Serotonin plays a very important role in human health and when the body does not produce enough of this chemical there are many chain reactions that begin to surface and are displayed with various illnesses such as but not limited to:
- Depression (major)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Dysthymia
- Teen Depression
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
- Eating Disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Mental Illness (Schizophrenia)
- Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder)
- Migraine
- Tension Headache
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
- Fibromyalgia (Fibro)
He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything….
At the other end of the spectrum is a condition called Serotonin Syndrome and occurs when the body has too much serotonin. Many types of drugs and some herbal supplements have been linked to causing excess serotonin levels in the body. If left untreated could cause unconsciousness or even death.
If you are concerned about your serotonin levels or think you may have a serotonin deficiency, then visit your doctor to discuss your concerns and to request a test that will determine the levels in your body. Keep in mind that ‘food is medicine’, that regular consumption of raw organic chocolate is a pleasant way to boost those serotonin levels that will help keep your ‘health in check’ and it will help you to lose weight. Science continues to suggest and recommend eating at least one ounce a day (28grams) and I encourage you to harness the power of chocolate.
I love your new website! How on earth to limit myself to only one ounce per day though?
For me, if I get the 85% cocoa or above, a little square does the trick!
Thank you Sharon! I know that sounds hard to do and it did for me, too, but when you consume a dietary raw chocolate supplement like I do it is easy! Each piece is 10grams and if science says 28grams that means you can have 2-3 a day. Life is good when you are given permission to eat something so sinful that turns out to be quite medicinal and guilt free 🙂
@[403699486326672:274:Gourmet Healthy Chocolates] I want to order some raw organic chocolate without breaking the bank. Can you recommend which one? I’m afraid if I get that jar, I will sit, dip and lick my finger until it’s all gone.
Sharon Wilson I do have suggestions and it helps me to help you and anyone else when they help me by completing this short form. http://gourmethealthychocolates.com/about/contact/ All the information comes directly to me. I’ve been helping a lot of people who didn’t have a clue but are now happy and getting healthy. They are getting that true chocolate hug.
YAY! “We know from previous studies that chocolate helps boost serotonin levels in the body. What is serotonin? Serotonin is a natural occurring chemical in the brain a.k.a. a neurotransmitter and it also a natural appetite suppressant.”
Again, I’m thankful for chocolate.
Thanks, Bethany for sharing this! So…as an appetite suppressor, the thing to do seems to be to eat that ounce of dark, organic chocolate BEFORE the meal, rather than after. I’m going to try that!
Chocolate is amazing! Embrace it and feel the power. #chocolatehugs
Sharyl Cobb this only works with a high flavonoid cacao , the % is less inportaint than the amount of flavonoids you can have a 90% chocolate with less flavonoid content because they cook the chocolate. that’s why a chocolate from +70% processed on 31 celcius ( 87.8 fahrenheit ) will have a lot more flavonoid content. See this presentation from Prof Rodger Corder http://www.fhf.org.uk/meetings/2007-12-11_corder.pdf that’s why i eat a chocolate that contains more than >800 mg flavonoid content at 10 gram.
More processed chocolate have less Flavonoids i tried a square with Omega3 that had about 400 flavonoids at 11 gram ( industrial processed chocolate )