Is cocoa really healthy? And what’s the best way to eat it?In the words of Willy Wonka, come with us as we explore the chocolate-y deliciousness that is cocoa! Chocolate, Not Money, Grows on Trees Cocoa comes from the Theobroma cacao tree, which in Greek translates to “food of the...
ChocolateCholesterolCocoaEndothelial dysfunctionFatty acidsPolyphenolsChocolate has probably a favourable effect on cardiovascular health. First we describe the nutrients which are good candidates for this benefit; then we review the experimental, clinical, epidemiological studies and the meta-analysis allowing ...
Cocoa found in chocolate contains more phenolic antioxidants than most foods. The flavonoids, including catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidins provide the major source of this antioxidant activity. The tricyclic structure of the flavonoids determines antioxidant effects that scavenge reactive oxygen species,...
The good news is, premium grade dark chocolate contains only cocoa butter, a fat that naturally occurs in cocoa beans, which is made up of stearic acid (34%), oleic acid (34%), palmitic acid (25%), and the rest of other fatty acids, whereby the combined effect of all the fats foun...
Eating chocolate can help protect against cognitive decline, according to a new review from the University of L'Aquila in Italy.
A great way to unwind from a stressful day is with a long bath. Cocoa butter is an amazing addition to a warm bath! Not only will you enjoy the deep, rich scent of vanilla and chocolate, but your bath becomes a silky smooth haven from life’s stress. Drop about 2 tablespoons of co...
Dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa—70 percent or more—has a lot of these beneficial phytochemicals. On the other hand, chocolate that contains little cocoa has much less therapeutic value. You’ll learn more about exactly how to choose the right chocolate and how much to...
Once the cocoa beans have been ground into a fine powder, they're often mixed with ingredients to mitigate the beans' innate bitterness. This includes sugar, milk and other ingredients that result in various percentages of dark chocolate and, of course, milk chocolate....
Early civilizations gave a religious significance to their beloved cocoa and their descendants still give offerings of cacao to their gods to this day. Chocolate may even have helped change the course of history. One of the great riches of the New World discovered by the conquistadors, a vein ...
Cocoa butter is a type of fat that comes from the processing of cocoa beans. It is the primary ingredient of chocolate, and many people use it as a topical treatment for its potential skin benefits. Cocoa butter could help promote skin health and moisturize the skin. Though many people find...