Before you reach for your next bite of chocolate, discover this tasty morsel’s weight-control powers

Could the most-craved food in the U.S. actually help you to lose weight? On average, Americans consume almost 12 pounds of this tasty treat per year—a potentially hefty number to add to waistlines around the country. But there is good news. What was once seen as an indulgent, naughty and ultimately fattening delight has now been shown to provide a host of healthful benefits, including helping to promote weight control.

With scientists continuing to unravel the intricate relationship between food and mood—and how this connection can affect your weight-loss efforts—read on to learn why you can now feel fantastic about your favorite fix: chocolate.

What You Didn’t Know About Chocolate
Made from cocoa beans of the Theobroma Cacao tree, chocolate naturally contains more than 600 different beneficial, healthy compounds, many of which your body needs to function. From essential minerals such magnesium, copper, zinc and iron to phytochemicals that contain protective, disease-preventing compounds, chocolate should surely be seen as more than “junk food” (Coad, 2002).

In addition, scientists have found that Cacao seeds (from which chocolate is made) offer significant amounts of naturally-occurring flavonoids—the same flavonoids that exist in such health-promoting foods as red wine and green tea. Studies suggest that these flavonoids help support blood vessels, promote cardiac health, destroy free radicals and more (Strand, 2005). According to the Harvard Medical School, a Dutch study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that men who ate about 10 grams of chocolate a day had lower blood pressure and a 50% less risk of death compared with men who ate less chocolate (Shmerling, 2006).

Despite such incredible benefits, perhaps the most tantalizing effect of consuming chocolate may be its potential effect on the human waistline. Typically regarded as fattening and as the dieter’s foe, chocolate may now be considered your newest ally in the battle against the bulge, especially considering new research about its ability to affect your brain.

Why It Feels Good to Be Bad
Because 15% of men and 40% of women admit to regularly having chocolate cravings, scientists have explored why people crave this dessert over any other treat (Coad, 2002). Part of the pleasure in eating chocolate can be attributed to the unique fact that its melting point is slightly below human body temperature so that it “melts-in-your-mouth,” producing a sensuously silky sensation on your tongue.

More notably, chocolate increases levels of several brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including mood-elevating phenylethylamine (PEA) that stimulate the body’s pleasure centers. Low levels of PEA have been associated with depression, while increased levels of PEA have been linked to the feeling of being in love. Chocolate also contains tryptophan, one of the building-blocks of another brain neurotransmitter, serotonin. Serotonin seems to affect sleep, relaxation, appetite, positive behavior, self-esteem, impulse control, optimism and overall mood (James, 2002).

In addition to tantalizing your taste buds, chocolate delivers two mild stimulants that also enhance euphoria: caffeine and Theobromine. With about one-tenth (1/10th) the amount of an average cup of coffee, chocolate’s minimal caffeine content can be beneficial for fat metabolism, exercise endurance, alertness and the perception of fatigue (Brewer, 2005). Theobromine, a compound related to caffeine, seems to affect dopamine—an important part of your body’s pleasure system—and also serves as a diuretic to help you shed extra water.

Considering the myriad reasons why people tend to turn to chocolate as a treat, it’s easy to see how this forbidden pleasure can actually be helpful when you want to get rid of excess pounds.

Make Chocolate Work for Your Waistline
Ironically, dieting itself can add stress and contribute to weight-loss failure. “When people are dieting, they spend so much energy controlling their biology, there are only limited resources left to deal with daily hassles,” explains Dr. Paul Lattimore, an expert in the U.K. on eating behavior from Liverpool John Moores University. “When they get stressed, they lose control, and if food is available, they will eat it” (Lattimore and Caswell, 2004; European Food Information Council [EUFIC], 2005).

Often, people turn to chocolate for comfort—and for good reason. The Theobromine in chocolate releases endorphins into the body, chemicals that reduce anxiety, encourage relaxation and induce pleasurable feelings. Endorphins also influence mood and appetite, so when you’re feeling stressed, it can be difficult to distinguish whether your body is actually hungry or searching for a pick-me-up. In addition, Theobromine has thermogenic properties that work with the human body to break down and utilize existing fat as well as stimulating metabolism (Munro, 2006).

However, the trick to using chocolate as a dieting ally—and not as a contributor to weight gain—is to make use of its beneficial nutrients without the extra calories or fat usually found in chocolate products. One of the most intriguing strategies involves the use of a special highly concentrated de-fatted chocolate extract as a dietary supplement that can deliver the mood-enhancing qualities of chocolate without the fat or calories. Especially when used as part of a weight-loss program that includes limited caloric intake and regular exercise, chocolate extract’s “feel good” effects may help to quell cravings and enhance motivation to stick with a program, thereby heightening your body-shaping efforts.

If you are intrigued by the possibility of adding a chocolate-extract dietary supplement to your weight-loss program, consider a formula that contains other effective dietary aids—such as Green Tea extract. Recently, a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that Green Tea may further improve metabolism and fat oxidation (Warner, 2006).

The good news is that chocolate no longer has to be a guilty pleasure. By taking advantage of the new science of weight loss—thanks to the advance of de-fatted Theobromine (chocolate) extract—this remarkable nutrient can finally tip the scales in your favor.

References:
Brewer, S. (2005). Is chocolate good for you? The pros and cons. Healthspan, March. Retrieved online June 11, 2006 from http://www.healthspan.co.uk/articles/article.aspx?Id=152&ct=true.

Coad, Tanya. (2002). Chocolate. Alive Magazine, December. Retrieved online June 10, 2006 from http://www.alive.com/4023a3a2.php.

European Food Information Council [EUFIC]. (2005). Stress and eating behaviour. FoodToday – EUFIC Newsletter; Issue Number 50. Retrieved online May 15, 2006 from http://www.eufic.org/gb/food/pag/food50/food501.htm.

James, C. (2002). Foods and moods. Alive Magazine, August. Retrieved online April 10, 2006 from http://www.alive.com/4107a3a2.php.

Lattimore, P. & Caswell, N. (2004). Differential effects of active and passive stress on food intake in restrained and unrestrained eaters. Appetite, 42, 167–173.

Munro, Elaine. (2004). Making sense of natural weight loss supplements. Vista Magazine, January 14. Retrieved online April 28, 2006 from http://www.vistamagonline.com/articles/page.php?tp=1&p=1&id=1&s=making_sense_of_natural_weight_loss_supplements.

Shmerling, R. (2006). Chocolate for health? News Review from Harvard Medical School. March 2. Retrieved online May 24, 2006 from http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/24479/36146/455406.html?d=dmtContent.

Strand, E. (2003). Flavonoids: Antioxidants help the mind. Psychology Today Magazine, July 8. Retrieved online May 10, 2006 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20030708-000001.html.

Warner, J. (2006). Green tea fights fat: Green tea ingredient may promote healthy weight loss. WebMD.com, Wednesday, January 26. Retrieved online May 6, 2006 from http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/article/99/105398.htm.

Wurtman, J.J. & Wurtman, R. J. (1995). Brain serotonin, carbohydrate-craving, obesity and depression. Obesity Research (supplement), 3, 477S–480S.