Ever since MK editor Heather wrote a blog post about her surprisingly healthy habit of eating chocolate cake for breakfast (and shared an amazing chocolate cake recipe, which you can find here), I have been wondering whether this brekkie trend is as good as it sounds. Eating chocolate for breakfast seems more like an early Christmas gift than something that’s part of a health-conscious daily routine. Surprisingly, our favourite super snack has more health benefits than you’d think.

By Roxy Greeff

1. Chocolate has been proven to improve concentration, resulting in you being your most productive and efficient self. This wonderful side effect is owed to flavanol, a chemical found in cocoa, which increases the flow of blood to your brain.

2. This sweet delight causes the release of happy chemicals (endorphins) in your brain. These neurotransmitters help to reduce stress and elevate your mood. Who would say no to starting your day with a mouthful of chocolate and a big smile?

3. Instead of depriving yourself of chocolate, having this yummy treat so early in the day means curbing your sugar cravings for the rest of the day. This way, you have a whole day’s worth of activities ahead of you that will effortlessly burn off those extra kilojoules.

4. Eating something as sweet as chocolate in the morning is ideal for your metabolism. Cocoa is rich in antioxidants, which help boost your metabolism, promote cardiovascular heath and prevent premature ageing.

It’s safe to say that we’ll definitely be adding a few pieces of our favourite chocolate bar to the most important meal of the day.