Health Benefits Of Cocoa

Health Benefits Of Cocoa

Cocoa is one of the best and health beneficial plants which first grown in equatorial South America, Cocoa is also know by it’s botanical name as ( Theobroma cacao ) native to the Amazon rainforest, from the family Malvaceae. It was first brought in by the Spanish subjugators in the early centuries then introduced it to Europe which made it popular for its essential health benefits.

From few research , Cocoa has proven to be very beneficial to a healthy living and it became famous for the chocolate production . in this article, we will get more fascinating findings about the wonders of cocoa .

Nutritional Content Of Cocoa

Like other plants cocoa is nutrient packed and contains good health benefits in it, below we will outline the nutritional content in cocoa :

1. Carbohydrate

Cocoa is considered to be low in carbohydrate as it contains about 12-14 percent and also has improved glucose insensitivity by regulating the conversion of glucose and insulin signaling proteins in some delicate part of the body .

2. Vitamins

Vitamins is not low in cocoa but can maintain a good vitamin rate when consumed with corn or some condiments like vegetables and fruits too. these supplementary additions come up with the vitamins which is lacking in cocoa .

3. Minerals

Cocoa has some mineral benefits which we will list below;

• Calcium

Calcium is essential for bone health and nerve transmission.

• Potassium

Vital for the regulating of blood pressure and maintaining a good heart health.

• Magnesium

Essential for the production of energy, muscle and bone health.

• Iron

Vital for the conversion of blood sugar to energy and also aids for healthy hair, nails and skin.

• Copper

important for the formulation of the red blood cell and may also act as an antioxidant

13 Health Benefit Of Cocoa

Cocoa has potential health benefits which have helped humanity for centuries and has done a good job in the medical aspect, here some of the health benefits of cocoa;

1. Boosts Immune System

Studies has shown that cocoa aid in boosting immune system, cocoa contains minerals such as zinc and copper, these minerals boost the immune system and help in body function.

2. Improves Muscle And Nerve Function

Cocoa contains magnesium which helps in muscle and nerve function, this mineral aid in protecting the nerve cells that means incorporating cocoa to your diet will maintain a health muscle and nervous system.

3. Lowers The Risk Of Heart Diseases

Cocoa used in the production of chocolates contains Flavonols, a type of Flavonoid in dark chocolates helps lower blood pressure and prevents the heart from diseases. Cocoa powder contains polyphenols, an antioxidant which help maintain the cholesterol and blood sugar level preventing the risk of heart diseases.

4. Improves Weight Loss And Control

In as much as cocoa adds calories, its also helps in weight control and studies has shown that cocoa helps moderate energy use and metabolism and also making you fee fuller than ever.

5. Enhances Wound Recovery

The amount of cocoa used in the production of chocolate bars is up to 90 percent which contain zinc , zinc is an essential mineral useful for the recovery of wounds.

6. Reducing Inflammation

Cocoa is rich in theobromine, which help prevent chronic inflammatory disease such as asthma that causes obstruction of airflow which could be life threatening. cocoa contains anti-asthmatic compound such as theophylline and theobromine, theophylline helps relax the airways and decreases inflammation.

7. Reduce The Risk Of Diabetes Type 2

Studies has shown that cocoa contains Flavanols, flavanols in cocoa can slow down the absorption and digestion of carbs in the gut. the high intake of flavanol from cocoa can help prevent the risk of diabetes type 2.

8. Mood Upliftment And Reduces Signs Of Depression

The effect of mood may take effect due to the effect of flavanol in chocolates from cocoa, Hence studies and experiments has proven that eating dark chocolates can enhance mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

9. Reduce The Risk Of High Blood Pressure

Cocoa contains a vital nutrient called the flavanol which help improve nitric oxide level in the blood, which can help reduce high blood pressure and enhance the activeness of the blood cells.

10. Reduce The Risk Of Cancer

Cocoa has high antioxidants which prevents free radicals from causing harm to our vital organs and can also reduce the risk of cancer. flavanol in cocoa can help reduce risk of cancer.

11. Improves Brain Function

The polyphenols in cocoa may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases by improving the blood flow in vessels, cells and brain function. regular consumption of dark chocolate improves the brains and memory.

12. Useful For Asthma Patients

Cocoa contains a compound called theobromine, theobromine in cocoa which is anti asthmatic has being of great help most chronic inflammatory disease patients and asthmatic patients.

13. Antipyretic

Cocoa can be used to relax , reduce stress and promote general well being.

14. Anti-Parasitic Activity

Cocoa contains compounds which help fight off free radical and parasites in the body.

15. Improving Cognitive Health

Cocoa is recommended in meals which helps in improving your memory , general cognitive system and makes you focused.

Incorporating Cocoa In Diet

Adding cocoa to your diets help enhances the improvement of a health living, popular cocoa products are chocolates and chocolate liquor.

here are some ways of taking cocoa;

• Dark Chocolate

This type of chocolate is very nutritious and have healthy health benefits which many have recommended, most dark chocolates are rich in flavanol compound which serve as antioxidant which when consumed regularly help reduce the risk of heart diseases .

• Sweet Chocolate

sweet chocolates are also dark chocolates but with the addition of sugar, it becomes sweetened. sweet chocolate contains al least 15 percent chocolate liquor content.

• Milk Chocolate

Milk chocolates are milky and creamy type of chocolates. milk chocolate are usually lighter in color than the sweet chocolate which makes it sweeter cause it has little content of bitter chocolate liquor.

• Chocolate Coasting

Chocolate coating is produced from cocoa which is useful in confectionary like baking of cake and other chocolate snacks.

FAQs

What is cocoa?

Cocoa is a processed produce of cocoa tree from the family of Malvaceae, which is mostly used for the production of chocolates.

Is there a difference between cocoa and cacao

In some part of the world they usually call it cocoa, but cocoa is the processed form of cacao while cacao is said to be the raw/unprocessed form which is the cacao tree and cacao pods.

What is flavanol?

flavanol is from a known polyphenolic compound called flavonoid, flavanol is found in chocolates. flavonoid is naturally present in most plant based foods and beverages including chocolates,, teas and so on.

Does cocoa have other useful needs

Yes cocoa has so other useful aspects not only for chocolate production, its also use in confectionaries such as baking, can also be used in meals and it gives deep rich flavor.

What is cocoa powder made of?

Cocoa is from cacao tree which bear large sized fruits called the cacao pods, after the pods are being harvested and opened up to get the cacao beans seeds, remove the pulp on the beans seeds then dry up and roast. but make sure while roasting it, you do not roast too much so as not to reduce the flavanol content in it, so after roasting to take to the mill to grind into powdered form which gives us the cocoa powder.

Is cocoa healthy to consume?

To maintain a healthy consumption of cocoa, chocolates are considered to be eaten in moderation because of the sugar and calories level it contains.

How is cocoa processed to produce chocolates

The production of chocolate is not far from this, harvesting, sun drying, roasting and grounding which is the last process, the last form of cocoa processing is used to make chocolate produce contributing tot the rich and smooth taste of chocolates.

Does cocoa have health benefits?

Cocoa contains nutritional properties which is beneficial to human health, cocoa contains antioxidant which help fight off free radicals from the body.

Conclusion

Cocoa with its produce are gotten from the cacao tree which plays a vital role in the production of chocolates, Cocoa undergoes several processes in the quest for the production of chocolates. cocoa was initially harvested in the tropical regions, there are varieties of cocoa species and its unique tastes and flavor.

To throw more light on the difference between cocoa and cacao, cocoa or cocoa powder is the finish product from cacao which is usually consumed like chocolates after undergoing several production processes, cacao contains more nutrients than the cocoa as cocoa is processed and the more you process it tends to loose compound such as flavanols.

Dark chocolates are considered to be more health beneficial and have antioxidants which help fight off free radicals from the body when consumed in moderation because it contains calories and sugar.