Research has found that cocoa and chocolate are good for your health in many ways. Here are some tips on how to choose to eat them to get more benefits than sugar without getting high! Drink a glass a day to feel refreshed and alert!

Cocoa and chocolate are many people’s favorite beverages and desserts. They are made from the cocoa tree or cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) through a process of extracting cocoa fat from the cocoa pulp. Natural cocoa, which contains only 10-24% fat, is considered a healthy drink.

For chocolate, cocoa liquid is molded or poured into molds. Without separating the fat, so it still contains a large amount of cocoa fat. 100% dark chocolate has a bitter taste.

Benefits of Cocoa

Rich in polyphenols

Naturally occurring antioxidants, polyphenols, are found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, tea, wine, cocoa, and chocolate. They have antioxidant properties, reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and lower blood sugar levels. ยูฟ่าเบท http://ufabet999.app They also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for cells in the body.

Helps reduce blood pressure

Studies have shown that both cocoa powder and dark chocolate can lower blood pressure. In Central American islanders who regularly drank cocoa had lower blood pressure than their mainland relatives who did not drink cocoa or drank only small amounts. This is because flavanols in cocoa increase blood levels of nitric oxide. Which can improve blood vessel function and lower blood pressure.

Cocoa also helps lower LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, prevents blood clots similar to aspirin, lowers blood sugar levels. And reduces inflammation, all of which have been linked to a reduced risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke.

Polyphenols increase blood flow to the brain and help the brain function efficiently.

Several studies have shown that polyphenols found in cocoa can reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by enhancing brain function. And improving blood flow.

In addition, flavonols affect the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessel muscles. Allowing blood to flow better to the brain.

mprove mood and reduce depression

Flavonols in cocoa help change tryptophan, an essential amino acid that the body cannot create on its own, into serotonin, or the happiness substance that is important in developing the neurotransmitter system. It can affect mood. If the body has a balanced level of serotonin. It will be able to control mood better, reduce stress, reduce migraines, and reduce depression. 

Control type 2 diabetes symptoms

Although consuming too much chocolate is not good for controlling blood sugar levels, cocoa has anti-diabetic properties. Because the flavanols in cocoa can slow down carbohydrate digestion and absorption in the intestines, control insulin secretion, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the absorption of sugar from the blood into the muscles.

Helps control weight

Consuming cocoa, or even chocolate, may help with weight management. Cocoa is thought to help control energy expenditure, reduce appetite and inflammation, and increase fat oxidation and promote feelings of fullness.

Studies have shown that people who regularly eat chocolate have a lower BMI than people who eat less or no chocolate at all.

Additionally, a low-carb weight loss study found that those who ate 42 grams of chocolate daily containing 81% cocoa lost more weight than those who ate a regular diet.

Prevent cancer

Flavonols found in vegetables, fruits and other foods have anti-cancer properties, low toxicity and few adverse side effects, and cocoa has the highest concentration of flavonols per weight of any food. 

Studies have shown that it has antioxidant effects, protects cells from damage, fights inflammation, inhibits cell growth, and helps prevent the spread of cancer cells. 

Reduce asthma symptoms

Cocoa is very beneficial for asthma sufferers as it contains anti-asthmatic compounds such as theobromine and theophylline, which have properties that help the lungs expand, allowing for easy breathing and reducing inflammation.

Antibacterial and immune boosting

There have been several studies investigating the effects of cocoa powder on dental caries and gum disease. This is because cocoa contains many compounds that have antibacterial, anti-enzymatic and immune-stimulating properties that have an impact on oral health. In one study, mice that had been given a cocoa extract that had been infected with oral bacteria had a significantly reduced incidence of dental caries compared to mice that were given water alone.