Cocoa's Amazing Health Benefits

cocoa and chocolate

Presented by Sarah's Chocolate Shop

The rich taste, texture, enrapturing smell - everything about it totally justifies the tag of the ‘Food of the Gods’ given to it by the Mayans.

It is just pure bliss, something that cannot be expressed in words, just experienced to the full.

chocolates

But despite having all the characteristics of a delicious treat, there are countless health benefits of cocoa, unlike that of any other treat.

Antioxidant Properties and Minerals

Starting with the amazing amount of antioxidants present in cocoa. Antioxidants, as we all know, are highly beneficial for our health. They help in preventing cancer, improve cardiovascular health, blood circulation and elasticity of arteries. If there is one food that you would consume to boost the levels of antioxidants in your body - then that is cocoa. It is derived from cocoa bean which is found inside a cocoa fruit and it contains 3x the amount of antioxidants present in green tea and 2x that of red wine - the two most popular sources of antioxidants. Add to that substantial amounts of minerals like calcium, copper, magnesium, and zinc, and you have a superfood like no other.

Can Help Prevent Cancer

As mentioned above, cocoa can help you avert the deadly disease of cancer. The flavanols present in cocoa are known to reduce damage to cells caused by oxidative stress, thus stunting the possible development of cancer. Research has shown that these flavanols along with procyanidins in cocoa exhibit anti-proliferative and chemopreventive traits which aid in the treatment of cancers likes colorectal cancer and prostate cancer.

Helps Treat Diabetes

According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report, an estimated 30.3 million people of all ages, around 9.4% of the U.S. population had diabetes in 2015. Diabetes being the seventh largest cause of death in 2015, is something that Americans need to be wary of and undertake steps to prevent it. Cocoa can help you there, as the polyphenols in cocoa improve glucose breakdown, reduce blood pressure and enhance insulin resistance, thus aiding in regulating the sugar levels in your body. Research has shown that cocoa has therapeutic potential in enhancing the vascular function of diabetics on various medications along with improving endothelial function and counteracting blood vessel dysfunction caused by diabetes. So the next time you eat that extra slice of strawberry cake, don’t forget to follow that up with a cup of hot cocoa.

Improves Mood

boy eating chocolate

Cocoa is considered a natural anti-depressant as its flavanols help in improving mood and combating depression. Cocoa increases the levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine in your body which relieve anxiety and cultivate a sense of well-being, leading to positive mental health.

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