Mel B's strict 'chocolate' rule that helps keep cholesterol in check

When it comes to our diet, it's important to remember that everything should be enjoyed in moderation - even sweet treats like chocolate

Andrew Nuttall U35 Lifestyle Writer

12:31, 29 Jan 2025

Mel B has shared her strict 'rule' on how she incorporates chocolate into her normal diet(Image: Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)

Spice Girl Mel B has a straightforward approach to enjoying chocolate without feeling guilty for her health. The mum-of-three has one strict yet simple rule that keeps her on track - moderation.

Body and Soul previously featured an interview where the singer opened up about her "simple" day-to-day eating habits, highlighting her technique on guilt-free indulgence with a bit of chocolate. She said: "For breakfast I'll whip up a quick smoothie with coconut water, greek yoghurt, and whatever fruit I have around me, like banana and blueberries and granola.

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"I'll have some dark rye avocado toast for lunch with a leafy green salad and grilled chicken for dinner with some stir-fry veggies. I snack on a mix of Brazil nuts, almonds and fruit throughout the day and try to keep my chocolate intake to two squares after dinner every other day."

The 49-year-old, who is set to appear on Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby this February, cuts down her supply of the high-sugar, high-fat item in order to remain healthy overall. But, chocolate shouldn't be kicked out of your diet altogether.

When eaten in moderation, it can actually be beneficial beyond simply hitting the sweet spot. Darker chocolate, preferred by many for its intense flavour, also boasts a higher cocoa content, which makes it a healthier pick than milk or white alternatives, reports the Mirror.

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Dark chocolate could be really beneficial to health - but only if consumed in moderation(Image: Getty)

Dark chocolate could be the key to maintaining a healthy heart, according to recent studies. It's been found that this sweet treat can improve several risk factors for heart disease and may even protect against high cholesterol.

Research has shown that eating dark chocolate can significantly decrease levels of LDL - known as the 'bad cholesterol' - and triglycerides, a type of fat that stores extra calories and provides energy. The cocoa in dark chocolate is packed with powerful antioxidants that have been proven to reach the bloodstream and fight against free radical damage to your body.

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The flavanols in dark chocolate can also reduce your sensitivity towards insulin. Over time, this should result in less cholesterol lodging in the arteries, reducing the risk of heart disease.

It can be very easy to overconsume our favourite kind of chocolates - but Mel B's 'rule' could help manage cravings(Image: Getty)

Studies have shown that consuming flavanol-rich cocoa or chocolate can lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. The flavonoids in dark chocolate can stimulate the endothelium, the lining of arteries, to produce nitric oxide. This substance signals the arteries to relax, lowering resistance to blood flow and therefore reducing blood pressure.

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It's no secret that eating large amounts of chocolate can lead to weight gain. So, experts suggest limiting your intake to about 60g per day.

Following Mel B's 'rule', it appears the Spice Girls singer limits herself to a few squares of her chosen chocolate roughly three days a week. A review of studies revealed that eating chocolate over this period of time lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease by 9%.