Let’s look at the first one. By taking a 15-minute brisk walk, you could reduce that craving, according to recent research published in the journal Appetite. The benefits: diminished cravings means less calorie intake and you expended some calories. A win-win on the weight loss front. Now, consider option two. If you give in to that chocolate craving and do so with dark chocolate, it may lower your blood pressure and, in theory, improve your blood flow. That is, if you eat 75 grams (a little more than 2.5 ounces) of the flavanol-rich treat daily, you could reduce risk of death from stroke by 8%, from cardiovascular disease by 5% and overall mortality by 4%, according to a new study in the International Journal of Hypertension. However, you’ll also add 379 calories to your daily tally. Which option will you choose? More from Prevention: Which Is Healthier: Dark Chocolate v. Milk Chocolate?
