Stories on theHealth Benefitsof consuming Cocoa Products have increasingly made the news, following the discovery that they are a rich source of catechins, which are polyphenols of the flavanol group, and which are believed to protect against heart disease, cancer, and various other medical conditio...
Older adults at a heightened risk of cognitive-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s can also benefit from consuming cacao. Research has shown it helps trigger neuro-protective effects in people with these neurodegenerative diseases.14 High Source of Iron Raw cacao beans contain high levels of ir...
Consumption of chocolate bars has been shown to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In one study of normotensive subjects, systolic blood pressure decreased 8.2% within 4 weeks of consuming the chocolate bars, with a 5% reduction relative to baseline still apparent at 8 weeks. Similar re...
Chocolate is made from the fermented, roasted, and finely ground seeds ofTheobroma cacaotree. A chocolate bar labeled “70 percent” is a good choice; it contains 70 percent ground cacao and 30 percent sugar. The ground cacao, which is comprised of cacao butter (a natural oil) along...
Q: Is there a benefit of using cocoa extract over consuming cacao nibs which are considered the purest form of chocolate? A: In order to gain all the health benefits that come with cocoa polyphenols you need to eat large amounts of cocoa. What most people don’t know is that all cocoa...
Lessened Side Effects ofRadiationTherapy Consuming cocoa powder can be helpful if you’ve been diagnosed withcancerand undergo radiation therapy. The selenium in cocoa power has been shown to limit the negative side effects of radiotherapy in people with cancer. ...
Interestingly, Panama is well-known for its cocoa consumption, and its population has good health and low incidence of heart disease. Cocoa comes from beans produced by the Theobroma cacao tree and contains many active components [2, 3, 4]: Polyphenols – antioxidant compounds that protect agains...
However, the typical method of consuming cacao, via chocolate, can be more damaging than healthy, as it is still loaded with calories and refined sugar. High-quality dark chocolate (usually 70% or more) is your best option as it has the highest cacao content and the lowest amount of ...
In addition to its brain-boosting benefits, a 2017 meta-analysis also found consuming up to 3 servings of chocolate a week can lower the risk of stroke. Cocoa Benefit #5 - It can have anti-diabetic effects. For those who have type 2 diabetes, consuming dark chocolate may be beneficial....
At the end of the day, enjoying chocolate in any form can be part of a rich and balanced diet. Choosing a dark chocolate—preferably one that is at least 80 percent cocoa—can have some benefits for your health. It's important to remember that consuming a diet that includes fruits, vege...