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Usually when you think of a healthy eating study it usually involves on cutting back on desserts, but this new study says you should actually INCORPORATE desserts into your diet to be healthy!
If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be happy to know that certain sweets and desserts can actually benefit your physical and mental health. Here are some of the science-backed reasons to include a dessert into your diet:
- Desserts have nutritional value - Desserts high in cocoa content, like dark chocolate, are loaded with nutrients including fiber, iron, copper, magnesium and antioxidants.
- Lower blood pressure - Studies show dark chocolate positively affects heart health, as it contains high amounts of flavanols, plant chemicals that help promote better blood circulation and lower blood pressure.
- Lower risk of heart disease - Eating dark chocolate three times a week lowers the risk of heart disease by 9%, and it went down even more for those who ate more dark chocolate in a week.
- Promotes healthier eating - Choosing your dessert before dinner could help you make better food choices. In one study, those who picked their cheesecake beforehand went on to eat a healthier main dish and consume 250 fewer calories overall.
- Boosts happiness and mental health - Foods high in carbs stimulate the release of serotonin, which promotes feelings of happiness.
You can read more from the study HERE, but we think we might treat ourselves later today!
(CNET)