What is cocoa, and why is it beneficial for us?

If you like its flavour, wait until you know all the benefits of cocoa for your health. We tell you what they are so that you never lack this food in your life.

Cocoa, better known as ‘ the food of the gods, is a fruit from the cocoa tree. The product that results from the fermentation and drying of its seed is also called cocoa, which is why it is an essential component of chocolate.

The three best-known products extracted from this seed are liquor, butter and cocoa powder ( cocoa ).

Cocoa benefits do not stay without knowing the benefits of cocoa. 

Nutritional properties

It gives you 50% fat in the form of butter, between 11 and 12% protein, 7 and 8% starch, and the rest is made up of water, fibre, essential organic acids and in smaller amounts it has sugar, theobromine, caffeine, and 300 more substances. The highest magnesium content is found mainly in its raw form.

Benefits:

• High in antioxidants: cocoa is as rich in antioxidants as green tea and red wine.
• Relieves stress: thanks to theobromine, which stimulates the central nervous system and is milder than caffeine, cocoa helps you reduce your stress levels with a more prolonged effect.
• Lowers cholesterol levels: consumption of dark chocolate with 60 or 70% cocoa can reduce harmful cholesterol levels (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL).
• Relieves Bad Moods: Anandamide works as a natural mood regulator and is used in patients with depression treatment to manage aspects of mood.
• Fights diseases: thanks to its antioxidants, cocoa is associated with preventing pathologies due to oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, liver, gastric, colon cancer, and diabetes.
• It works as a diuretic: the theobromine contained in cocoa takes care of the kidneys; being a relative of caffeine, it increases urine production.
• Body hydration: Cocoa is a super ingredient in topical products; it has hydration benefits for hair and cellulite reduction.
• Against skin cancer: cocoa is an excellent antioxidant for skin cancer, thanks to its flavonoids that protect against cell damage caused by free radicals.
• Excellent for sexual performance: the chemicals in cocoa, such as phenylethylamine and serotonin, are neurotransmitters responsible for stimulating endorphins in the brain responsible for a feeling of well-being, pleasure, euphoria and excitement.

Cocoa benefits and the best way to eat it

Consume it in liquid form, dissolved in milk or water, and hot. According to a study done in New York, it has been shown that a cup of soluble cocoa is the beverage that contains the highest concentration of antioxidants.

How much cocoa can you eat?

1 to 2 ounces, 2 to 3 times per week, either as a drink with cocoa powder or dark chocolate. We have delicious recipes for you to try and also enjoy their benefits.

Other benefits of cocoa 

Some of its components stimulate the body’s natural defences and, in addition, can reduce the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In this way, it can be a good ally in improving skin texture, density, thickness and resistance to wrinkles.

Some of its components stimulate the body’s natural defences and, in addition, can reduce the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In this way, it can be a good ally in improving skin texture, density, thickness and resistance to wrinkles.

As well as promoting cardiovascular health, cocoa flavonoids facilitate the dilation of renal arteries because it regulates the supply of oxygen and nutrients that reach these organs. Also, some studies indicate that theo bromine prevents the formation of kidney stones.

Finally, cocoa diets help control periodontitis’s progression of periodontitis and thanks to its tannin content, and this food has protective effects against dental plaque.

The false myths 

It is not true that the consumption of cocoa makes you fat because, in any case, it prevents obesity. Its compounds regulate lipid metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue. Nor does it cause cavities or acne, as is thought, since frequent hormonal imbalances cause the latter in adolescence or by genetic causes.

Like any rich food, cocoa creates addiction and a feeling of well-being and is exciting despite not containing high amounts of caffeine. It is only known that a cup of soluble cocoa provides 0.01 milligrams of caffeine and a cup of coffee between 40 and 50 mg of this substance.