Health Benefits You Receive From Consuming Cocoa
Chocolate is one of the top favorite flavors on the globe. One drawback to chocolate is the amount of sugar and fats added to make it sweet bringing with it a lot of calories. Calories do not always have to be a drawback or concern as this product brings you many benefits. Cocoa has been found to provide you with essential vitamins and minerals. This product is capable of boosting your serotonin which is what controls your emotions and helps to improve your mood. So when eaten in moderation when loaded with sugar and fats or if you can find products that contain little to no sugar and fats, you’ll have discovered a great taste with some fantastic benefits.
Heart Health
Flavanols are found in chocolate and have been proven to have a positive effect on your heart health. The flavonoids in chocolate can help lower your blood pressure and help your blood flow more effectively. Blood flow to your brain will also improve from the flavonoids found in cocoa. Your blood will be able to flow easier as the cocoa helps to improve blood platelets making them less sticky and decreasing your risk of stroke or blood clots.
Improved Cognitive Function
Studies show the ingestion of cocoa can improve the blood flow to your cerebral gray matter. This improved flow is beneficial in conditions such as dementia and stroke that are direct results of reduced cerebral blood flow. These studies have shown cocoa can improve several cognitive abilities in the elderly.
Protection from Disease
Cocoa has a free radical fighting ability. Unbalanced compounds created by your cellular process are called free radicals and are created due to the toxins you are exposed to every day. You need antioxidants to fight these free radicals and neutralize them before they can damage your body. Cocoa has an impressive amount of antioxidants and is considered one of the top ten foods with antioxidant content. These antioxidants found in cocoa are polyphenols and flavonoids. When choosing your chocolate, you should check the percentage of cocoa in the product as the higher the percentage, the more antioxidants you will consume.
Neutralize Cholesterol
Health benefits found in cocoa butter as dark chocolate contains oleic acid. It also includes palmitic and stearic acids which are forms of saturated fat. Stearic acid has been found to neutralize cholesterol meaning it will not lower or raise your levels. The palmitic acid could increase your cholesterol levels but is only found in small amounts in cocoa butter so does not pose a threat. In one study, it was discovered cocoa consumed in the form of dark chocolate for one week lowered platelet reactivity in both women and men. In this same study, it also reduced inflammation in women.
Cocoa is an essential baking ingredient and can be found in all your favorite chocolate treats. This product can provide some incredible health benefits for you and can be added to virtually anything you prepare. The flavor of cocoa will give you a delectable and rich chocolate flavor as well as improve your overall health. The next time you worry about the number of calories you will get from a serving of chocolate, think about its incredible nutritional benefits. The nutritional benefits received in cocoa make eating chocolate flavored foods several times a day a healthy treatment for your body.
