Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — While we look forward to winter every year, sometimes the cold can be more than we can handle.
It makes us think of enjoying a warm drink like hot chocolate.
You may be concerned about consuming this drink due to the chocolate and sugar it contains.
That’s why the Gulf Health Council recently shared a tweet with steps you can follow to make a healthy drink.
Make your cup of hot cocoa even healthier in these ways:
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Use dark chocolate
Use dark chocolate, as it is rich in antioxidants called “flavanols” that help protect against cardiovascular disease.
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Use cinnamon
Add cinnamon, as it helps lower blood sugar levels by stimulating the body’s cells to use the hormone insulin.
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Avoid sugar
And the average cup of hot cocoa contains about 5 teaspoons of sugar.
You can make a healthier drink by using unsweetened dark chocolate and adding warm skim milk, plant milk, or water.
Dark chocolate contains much less sugar and fewer calories than milk chocolate or white chocolate mixed with powdered or condensed milk.
Studies have found that eating one piece of dark chocolate a day can have a positive effect on heart health and reduce the risk of diabetes.
But does that mean allowing yourself to eat an infinite amount of them? The answer is no.
Dark chocolate contains a large amount of a compound called theobromine, which is a known nervous system stimulant associated with caffeine.
Studies have found that eating large amounts can increase your heart rate and ruin your mood.
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