Do you have chocolate on your mind?

New studies show that it may not be a bad choice!

Giving into our chocolate craving makes us feel guilty. We know it contains a lot of calories and fat. In the fight to avoid it, we end up eating everything but the kitchen sink. The worst of it all is, after all that munching, you will still crave chocolate. Is it our subconscious knowing what we need? Allowing yourself some chocolate would have saved you all those extra calories, although we must consider portion size. Research shows that just 4 average sized bites is enough to satisfy. You just need to have the willpower to pack it away, until the next attack that is..

The health benefits of chocolate

The latest studies have indicated that there are many health benefits to be had from indulging in dark chocolate. In case the thought of having those 4 bites still makes you feel guilty, here are the top 6 reasons you shouldn’t feel bad at all!

1) Dark Chocolate is Good for Your Heart

Studies show that eating a small amount of dark chocolate two or three times each week can help lower your blood pressure. Dark chocolate improves blood flow and may help prevent the formation of blood clots. Eating dark chocolate may also prevent arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

2) Dark Chocolate is Good for Your Brain

Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart, so it can help improve cognitive function. It also helps reduce your risk of stroke.

Dark chocolate also contains several chemical compounds that have a positive effect on your mood and cognitive health. It contains phenylethylamine (PEA), the same chemical your brain creates when you feel like you’re falling in love. PEA encourages your brain to release endorphins, so eating dark chocolate will make you feel happier.

Dark chocolate also contains caffeine, a mild stimulant. However, it contains much less caffeine than coffee. A 1.5 ounce bar of dark chocolate contains 27 mg of caffeine, compared to the 200 mg found in an eight ounce cup of coffee.

3) Dark Chocolate Helps Control Blood Sugar

Dark chocolate helps keep your blood vessels healthy and your circulation unimpaired to protect against type 2 diabetes. The flavonoids in also help reduce insulin resistance by helping your cells to function normally and regain the ability to use your body’s insulin efficiently. Dark chocolate also has a low glycemic index, meaning it won’t cause huge spikes in blood sugar levels.

4) Dark Chocolate is Full of Antioxidants

Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants help free your body of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to cells. Free radicals are implicated in the aging process and may be a cause of cancer. Eating antioxidant rich foods like dark chocolate can protect you from many types of cancer and slow the signs of ageing.

5) Dark Chocolate Contains Theobromine

Dark chocolate contains theobromine, which has been shown to harden tooth enamel. That means that unlike most other sweets, it lowers your risk of getting cavities if you practice proper dental hygiene.

Theobromine is also a mild stimulant, though not as strong as caffeine. It can, however, help to suppress coughs.

6) Dark Chocolate is High in Vitamins and Minerals

Dark chocolate contains a number of vitamins and minerals that can support your health. This sweet piece of heaven contains some of the following vitamins and minerals in high concentrations:

• Potassium
• Copper
• Magnesium
• Iron

The copper and potassium in dark chocolate help prevent against stroke and cardiovascular ailments. The iron in chocolate protects against iron deficiency anemia. The magnesium in it also helps prevent type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Top Tip: Indulge in a regular 10 minute Bellabaci Cupping Therapy session too! The increase in blood flow and fat breakdown will combat any effects of the extra intake of calories such as cellulite and lipid pockets. The Bellabaci Cellulite Be Gone and Body cups combo is the perfect choice to banish any fat cells gained from indulging in a bit of chocolate! The Cellulite Be Gone Genie, one of our luxurious lotions which turns into a deep-treatment oil on application, can be used on its’ own to banish cellulite, fat and restore skin firmness. When combining it with the Bellabaci Body Cups, our hand-squeezed vacuum suction cups based on the treatment success of Ancient Chinese Cupping, apart from treating your body on its’ own accord, also increases product penetration so that you can gain powerful and professional results!

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Happy Cupping Everyone!