Dark Chocolate as an Appetite Suppressant

According to CBC news, the health benefits of dark chocolate stem from the flavonoid content found in the cocoa bean. As flavonoids are antioxidants they can offer potential health benefits. As of 2010, research conducted by the Reinier de Graaf Group of Hospitals in the Netherlands suggests it might actually be helpful in weight loss.

Smell

• The research conducted by the Reinier de Graaf Group of Hospitals suggest that simply smelling dark chocolate might induce appetite suppression by altering gastrointestinal hormones.

Eating

• Eating 30g of dark chocolate with 85 percent cocoa worked to suppress appetite in the participating group of women. The effect worked in the same way as simply smelling the dark chocolate, by altering gastrointestinal hormones.

Cocoa Content

• In order to see health benefits from dark chocolate, it should have a high cocoa content, as milk chocolate is highly processed and loses its antioxidant abilities. Dark chocolate has almost four times as many flavonoids as milk chocolate.

Heart Disease

• Aside from the supposed appetite suppressing properties, dark chocolate has been linked to lowering the risk of developing coronary heart disease when eaten regularly in small quantities, of around 6g. It also helps to lower blood pressure.