While eating a healthy and balanced diet is recommended for leading a healthy lifestyle, according to scientists, consuming chocolate in the morning could help slim people down.
However, researchers said that consuming chocolate can affect hunger and appetite, as well as sleep.
If you are looking to shed the pounds, it is recommended that you eat a high protein food to satisfy cravings and reduce hunger.
The good news is that eating chocolate in the morning could help burn fat and lower blood sugar levels as well, according to the research.
This was possibly due to the beneficial chemicals called flavanols that are naturally found in cocoa and that increase fat oxidation.
Eating a small amount of chocolate before bed can change your metabolism and lead to a more regular sleep pattern.
Frank AJL Scheer, a neuroscientist with a vision of sleep and circadian disorders, said: “Eating chocolate in the morning or in the evening / at night has different effects on hunger and appetite, substrate oxidation, fasting glucose, microbiota (composition and function), and sleep and temperature rhythms.
“Our results show that not only ‘what’ but also ‘when’ we eat can influence physiological mechanisms that are involved in the regulation of body weight.”
Including sweet treats in your diet can help satisfy the sweet tooth, although some experts recommend limiting them to a small amount.
The study was carried out by experts from the hospital in collaboration with investigators from the University of Murcia in Spain.
Study author Marta Garaulet of the University of Murcia said: “Our volunteers did not gain weight despite increasing caloric intake.
“Our results show that chocolate reduces energy intake from libitum, which is consistent with the reductions in hunger, appetite and the craving for sweets observed in previous studies.”
When it comes to weight loss, the NHS recommends eating less high-calorie foods like chocolate.
The website states, “Small changes to your diet are the healthiest, most achievable way to lose weight.
“The first step is to eat fewer high-calorie, high-fat, high-salt, and high-sugar foods and swap them for something healthier, including more fruits and vegetables.
“Remember, small changes that add up can make a big difference in your diet.”
