Cocoa has power!
Have you ever wondered why we love cocoa? Discover how cocoa has the power to improve mood and health.
Cocoa has a power that many of us are not aware of. Cocoa is a colloquial name for the ground fruits of the cacao tree, whose health-promoting properties were already known in ancient times by the Aztecs and Mayans. In those days, a drink made from cocoa powder was called the “Drink of the Gods”. Why? Because cocoa contains extraordinary nutritional values and antioxidants, as well as substances that improve mood and calm down.
So, if you like dark chocolate, grab 6 fun facts about cocoa:
Do you work mentally? EAT COCOA!
Cocoa improves brain function by dilating blood vessels and improving blood circulation, making us less sleepy and ready for action. It also improves the flow of signals that nerve cells transmit between each other.
Do you want to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke? Eat cocoa.
The flavonoids contained in it have a positive effect on the condition of the cardiovascular system. In the group of regular cocoa drinkers, the risk of dying from heart disease was almost half as high as in the others! This is due to the beneficial effect of epicatechin on the functioning of the endothelium of blood vessels. The observed effects include lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and inflammation.
Do you want to have beautiful, youthful skin? Eat cocoa.
Cocoa contains the so-called “vitamin of youth”, i.e. vit. It contains large amounts of antioxidants that protect cells from the harmful effects of free radicals that contribute to skin aging.
Are you looking for a legal treat that is also safe for a diabetic? Eat cocoa.
Dark chocolate has a low glycemic index, which is important for people with diabetes or insulin resistance. The sugar-free version of cocoa has a hypoglycemic effect, which means that the sugars in the consumed meals are not immediately absorbed by the body. And this means that it helps to regulate cravings, satisfying the craving for sweets.
Are you constipated? It’s better not to eat cocoa.
Why? Due to its tannin content, cocoa can have a “breathtaking” effect. People with hemorrhoids should also be careful, because constipation equals increased pressure in the pelvis, which in turn promotes the formation of hemorrhoids.
Do you have anemia? Eat cocoa, but don’t count on it being enough.
Although cocoa contains a lot of iron, its absorption is limited due to the phytic acid content. Hence, it will not be a golden mean in the case of already existing anemia. If you have anemia, it will always be crucial to find the cause.
WHICH CHOCOLATE TO CHOOSE?
Bitter, minimum 70% cocoa. You will find the most nutritional value in it. However, beware – chocolate is a high-calorie product; One bar is almost 600 kcal! The consolation is that it’s hard to eat all the bitter at once. It’s much easier to eat whole milk chocolate (confirmed — we don’t recommend it). Milk chocolate contains almost no health-promoting polyphenols, so choose bitter ones.
As you already know, cocoa can reduce the risk of developing possible diseases and have a positive effect on our well-being. However, we should remember that this is an addition to the diet, not a medicine. Therefore, when choosing a product, it is advisable to make sure that they are of good quality and have a short list of ingredients on the label.
Bibliography:
1.Higginbotham E., Taub P. Cardiovascular benefits of dark chocolate. Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med. 2015 Dec; 17(12):54. doi: 10.1007/s11936-015-0419-5.
2.Dower J., Geleijnse J. Dietary epicatechin intake and 25-y risk of cardiovascular mortality: the Zutphen Elderly Study.Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Jul; 104(1):58-64. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.115.128819. Epub 2016 May 25.
