The earliest records show that the Aztecs refer to chocolate as “the food of the Gods.” Montezuma, the leader of the Aztec people, referred to it as “the devine drink.”
At that time, only the elite and wealthy in their society were allowed to consume chocolate, which was a drink created with roasted cocoa beans, vanilla, and chili peppers.
Hernan Cortes, a famous Spanish Conquistador, noted, “ a cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food.” It was soon brought to Europe and sweetened, and thus began our love affair with chocolate.
I am here to share some pretty incredible news, eat chocolate to burn your fat. I have personally proven this to be absolutely true.
Let me share a story some of you may be able to relate to; as someone, who loves to cook, I have struggled with my weight.
When I hit 50, I was almost 240 and saw a heart specialist. I knew I needed to lose weight but was really struggling to lose any weight at all!
One day by a stroke of luck, I read an article on a couple that managed to drop 105 pounds between them simply by incorporating Polyphenols into their diet. They claimed the weight “fell off.” So I began my research.
I discovered polyphenols are a large family of naturally occurring organic compounds characterized by multiples of phenol units. More than 8,000 identified polyphenols are found in foods such as tea, wine, chocolates, fruits, vegetables, and extra virgin olive oil. That “old wives’ tale” that chocolate and wine help you lose weight – is actually correct!!!!
Here is the exciting news! A graduate student from Texas Women’s University conducted a study to identify if polyphenols would inhibit fat cell formation on a cellular level. The study utilized pre-adipocyte tissue to identify the effects of polyphenols on unspecialized cells into adipocytes or fat cells. Compared to the control tissue that received no polyphenols, the tissue showed a significant reduction of lipid content. They were reduced by 27% to 72%, depending on the dose they received!!
The study results have shown: plant polyphenols have been shown to inhibit adipogenesis, the development of fat cells, and to increase lipolysis, the breakdown of fat cells. This action of polyphenols shows the positive effect plant-based food constitutes on body fat. Regular consumption of natural berry polyphenols, such as blueberries, protects against oxidative damage and reduces fat cell formation.
Bottom line, polyphenols block fat formation and break down fat cells. It was pretty exciting to find this out. I decided to learn more about foods filled with polyphenols and stumbled across the information that one of the most polyphenol-rich foods – was cocoa.
Natural cocoa beans and dark chocolate are some of the richest sources of it. That makes natural dark chocolate ( 85%+ ) a thermogenic food.
I lost 85 pounds in 8 months, eating it every day!!!!! Let me share an incredible story.
I was trying to eat as many fat-burning foods as I could to help me lose weight. I uncovered the top five fat-burning foods were:
grapefruit, strawberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne. I love grapefruit, so I knew I would have one a day for breakfast; however, I always struggled with dessert. I decided to try…..chocolate-dipped strawberries!!!! To me, that is a decadent dessert and one I would love to eat regularly. After the first two days of actually dipping the strawberries, I ended up just washing and cutting up the berries and drizzling one servings’ worth of chocolate over the top. I have to admit; I added whipped cream!!!
The very first week – I lost 4 pounds!!!!!!! I loved it so much I ate it every single night for dessert for the next year!!!
Let that sink in. Chocolate drizzled strawberries with some whipped cream, and you can still lose weight!!!!!
A study published in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences has revealed that after consuming dark chocolate for just one week, there was a noticeable improvement in markers for cardiovascular disease, and there was a marked reduction of belly fat!
The study followed 15 women aged 20-40 years old that consumed 100 grams of dark chocolate (70%+) for seven days.
The results concluded: “there was a reduction in abdomen circumference observed.”
Great ways to consume chocolate:
When looking at a good bar to consume, look at the ingredients. Any bar with sugar in the first three ingredients, don’t get it. What you want to see is cocoa, cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder, with organic bars being better.
I use bars as an easy way to measure servings. If I am going on a hike/walk or work out, I eat one serving 20 minutes beforehand.
If I am going to enjoy fruit drizzled with chocolate, I again use one serving as a formula.
In the baking aisle, grab a bag of Ghiradelli 100% natural cocoa powder. I add a tablespoon to my protein shake, which amps up the chocolate flavor and maximizes the burning power of the shake.
A delicious treat – almonds and many nuts are full of polyphenols – mixing natural or salted nuts with dark chocolate chips are great for anyone on the go and is a supercharged fat burner.
A great gift – or way to consume more polyphenols in one bite – handmade chocolate bars. Get yourself a silicone mold for a candy bar. Using your favorite chocolate bar, melt down the chocolate (I use a microwave. I put broken-up chocolate in a glass measuring cup or ceramic mug in the microwave on high and microwave for 30 seconds. Wait a minute. Thirty seconds more and stir.
Remove and throw in more chocolate and stir to melt.) Pour the chocolate in the mold along with your favorite ingredients – strawberries, blueberries, almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans, macadamia, cinnamon, ginger, and so much more. Put in a plastic bag and store – do not store in the refrigerator – keep in cool, dry place 70 degrees and under.
Organic cocoa powder and milk – almond milk, milk, or any milk product mixed with the powder or pour hot milk over dark chocolate bar pieces and create a luxurious fat burning drink. Boost it with a dash of cayenne and cinnamon. Finish it off with shaved dark chocolate.
