Amazing Health Benefits of Cocoa
Anna Dosu
Theobroma cacao is the taxonomic classification for the plant also called the cacao tree and the cocoa tree, which is a small evergreen tree in the family Malvaceae, native to the deep tropical regions of Central and South America.The difference between cacao and cocoa: Cacao is the bean. Cocoa is the product that is made from it.
Cocoa trees need to be planted next to tall trees in order to protect them from direct sunlight. This is why you often see cocoa trees planted amongst mango and papaya trees. The soil (or terroir, as in wine-making) influences the flavours of the cocoa beans.
It takes 3 to 5 years before the cocoa tree bears fruit. EACH TREE produces around 1,000 beans a year, but that is only enough to make just 1 kg of chocolate. So next time you say fine chocolate is expensive, remember this!
The cocoa beans are the fermented seeds of the cacao tree, whose Latin name is Theobroma cacao, which means “Food of the Gods”. In fact, its beans were so prized that the native tribes used them as a form of currency.
Cocoa is rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, copper and manganese. It is also a good source of selenium, potassium, and zinc while providing the body with carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fiber. In addition to this, the cholesterol content in it is almost negligible. It contains cocoa butter, which is a mixture of monounsaturated fats like oleic acid and saturated fats, namely stearic acid and palmitic acid.
Reasons why cocoa is healthy and good for you;
1.Healthy brain.
Scientists have suggested that flavonol-rich cocoa may extend its beneficial effects to maintaining a healthy brain. These neuroprotective benefits could also have favorable effects on learning and memory functions. The findings have advocated that the consumption of cocoa-based products enhances the flow of blood to the brain and they have provided evidence of the therapeutic potential for curing vascular disorders.
- Reduces obesity.
A study has shown the potential benefits of cocoa in preventing high-fat diet-induced obesity. Its intake helps in modulating lipid metabolism and reducing the synthesis and transport of fatty acids. It has also demonstrated an improvement in thermogenesis, the mechanism of heat production in white adipose tissues and the liver.
3.Contains only healthy fats.
Unlike chocolate, cocoa itself contains a variety of healthy fats, including oleic acid, which is the same fatty acid that is found in olive oil. Research has shown that consuming cocoa and dark chocolate can actually decrease the levels of bad cholesterol in the body.
- Contains more antioxidants than green tea.
When people think of a drink that contains antioxidants, they will usually think of green tea or red wine. It may come as a surprise then, to find out that cocoa contains more than twice the amount of antioxidants as does red wine and up to three times that of green tea.
- Boost immunity.
Research is also showing cocoa powder to help immune function, cognition, and detoxification. Cocoa can both upregulate specific immune cells and help modulate immune function. It appears to increase brain oxygenation which has beneficial implications for diseases like dementia. And finally, raw organic cocoa powder with its high fiber content has been shown to facilitate the excretion and detoxification of environmental contaminants from the body.
6.Helps fight cancer cells.
Cancer is fast becoming the number one killer of Americans. Colon and reproductive cancers like breast and prostate cancer are among the most common types of cancers. Components of cocoa, notably the polyphenols have shown to stop a proliferation of breast, prostate, and colon cancer cells while sparing normal cells by researchers.
7.) Balance Hormonal Mood Swings: Cacao boosts brain levels of serotonin, the feel-good brain chemical. When women are experiencing PMS serotonin levels drop dramatically. The benefits of cacao are proven to boost the brain levels of calming hormones and restore feelings of well-being.
Amazing Health Benefits of Cocoa, Amazing Health Benefits of Cocoa, Amazing Health Benefits of Cocoa, Amazing Health Benefits of Cocoa
Anna Dosu is a health ambassador and the CEO of Oasis of Living Food Venture. You can reach her on Twitter: @dosu_anna80, and E-mail:dosuanna@gmail.com
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Amazing Health Benefits of Cocoa, Amazing Health Benefits of Cocoa
