Cacao Supports Weight Loss in Other Ways

Experts tell us that losing weight is simple—burn more calories than you eat. While this certainly is a big part of keeping off the weight, there are many other factors that contribute to healthy weight control.

As mentioned elsewhere, high-ORAC foods such as chocolate can contribute to significant weight loss. Now, a growing body of research by institutions around the globe suggests that cacao and its products—cocoa and chocolate—can support healthy and lasting weight control through a variety of mechanisms:

• Appetite Reduction
• Free Radical Control/Antioxidant Support
• Normalizes Blood Sugar Levels
• May Regulate Genes that Control Weight Gain
• Improves Mood
• Enhances Balance of Brain Chemicals
• Boosts Metabolism
• Relieves Inflammation
• Increases Energy

Science Shows Chocolate Supports Weight Loss

Scientists from different research schools in Japan recently reported that regular consumption of cocoa may prevent obesity and weight gain by regulating the genes involved in the metabolism of fats. The researchers fed two groups of rats different high-fat diets—one high in real cocoa and the other without the cocoa supplement. The results were very promising:

• Body weights, white adipose fat weights and blood-lipid levels were significantly lower in the cocoa-fed group
• Cocoa ingestion suppressed the expression of genes for enzymes involved in the synthesis of fatty acids
• Metabolism and storage of fats was restricted
• Expression of genes involved in the activity of protein-2, which stimulates the body’s thermogenesis (or fat burning) mechanisms, was increased in the cocoa-diet group