Cocoa as a seed, powder or in chocolate has several properties and health benefits due to its enormous concentration of minerals and vitamins. It is delicious and can be used in all kinds of foods.
What is cocoa
Theobroma cacao is the scientific name of this plant species and it is popularly known as cacao to three elements in particular that are made from this type of plant:
The tree: the tree (Theobroma cacao) is called cacao, which can measure between 5 and 10 meters high and grows in the tropical regions of America. Its seeds are used to make what is also called cocoa and chocolate.
Seeds or grains: the seeds and grains of the tree's fruit are also called cocoa after a fermentation process in which they become a kind of beans or granules. Chocolate is made with this element.
Grain powder: with its grains previously fermented as we indicated, a concentrated powder is made through a process in which said grains are ground and the fat is extracted, dehydrating the consistency and forming the so-called cocoa.
The benefits of cocoa
Surely you, lover of chocolates, did not need to read here that chocolate is made from cocoa, but did you know what its benefits are? Cocoa has about 300 identified components of which the vast majority, in one way or another, benefit our body.
Let's see without more, some of them:
Antioxidant properties of cocoa
Cocoa tops the list of foods with antioxidant properties ranking number 1 and above green tea, acai, red wine and goji berries, as it has more properties than all of them, combined.
Cocoa contains high magnesium content
The Magnesium is a necessary mineral for our body to function properly and cocoa oil gives body to our high magnesium content. In addition to magnesium, cocoa has good amounts of other two essential minerals for the proper functioning at different levels of our body, iron and chromium.
Cocoa contains anandamide
Cocoa contains anandamide. Anandamide is an organic chemical compound and neurotransmitter that in our body produces slightly similar effects to those produced by some cannabinoids, mimicking some of the psychoactive compounds present in them.
Thus it works as a natural mood regulator that helps, for example, in a complementary treatment to treat depression and other aspects related to humor and mood. This compound is also shown to have effects on concentration, focus, love and pleasure, favorably in several cases.
Other benefits of cocoa
1. As a result of its high chromium content, it incredibly helps to lose weight in the right amounts.
2. It helps regulate the amounts of sugar in the blood.
3. There are those who argue that cocoa also has aphrodisiac properties and that it is a natural stimulant of love.
Cocoa and difference with cocoa
It should be mentioned that the properties of cocoa are not the same once it has been processed, that is, when it is converted into cocoa, since when food is processed, it always loses most of its properties, especially if toxic additives such as they are the preservatives or refined and artificial sugars. In addition, cocoa or commercial powdered or bar chocolates are often even harmful to health.
Cocoa:
· Helps in reducing diets
· Promotes healthy skin
· High in antioxidants
· Improves moods
· Contains essential vitamins and minerals
· Improves brain functions
· Turn off migraines
· Promotes heart health
· Aphrodisiac
Cocoa:
(Almost all the chocolate candies
you buy in the supermarket, bars
and powder.)
· Low cocoa levels
· Indicted
· Heat refined
· Stripped of nutrients
· Often Contains: Sugars, Milk Fat, and Artificial Flavors.
· Can cause overweight
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