Raw cocoa protects the heart and prevents cardiovascular disease
Raw cocoa is packed full of protein and fibre and contains many important vitamins and minerals including manganese, calcium, zinc, iron, copper, and B vitamins. It also has heart-healthy fat: oleic acid. The flavonoids that are present in cocoa act as inflammatory antioxidants, which protect against heart disease.
In fact, cocoa contains over 600 compounds of complex antioxidants that help improve blood circulation and lower the risk of stroke. No drug on the market has come close to having the same benefits as cocoa as it works effectively to reduce plaque build-up on artery walls. The essential minerals and vitamins support the health of your heart and lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. To benefit from this product, you may use a teaspoon of cocoa powder in your coffee in the mornings or drink it with hot milk before bedtime.
Cocoa prevents premature aging
Exposure to UV rays of the sun, cigarette smoke, pollution, and unhealthy foods can cause havoc inside your body. The free radicals can result in premature aging or even cancer. Raw cocoa has one of the highest levels of antioxidants such as polyphenols which are excellent for eliminating free radical damage. It also helps improve blood flow to the skin and enhance its elasticity.
By using raw cocoa as a facial mask on a regular basis, you can help your skin look younger and prevent wrinkles. The polyphenols that are found in this food are also seen in green tea and red wine. The catechins that protect skin cells from premature oxidation can keep you looking and feeling more vibrant and youthful. In many beauty salons nowadays you can find raw cocoa masks that are applied on the entire body and are recommended for preventing facial wrinkles.
Shed your excess fat by drinking hot cocoa before lunch and dinner
Dietary fats are processed in the body and used as energy. The bad fats are stored as fatty tissue which is the cause of weight gain. Japanese researchers have recently examined the cocoa’s ability to break down these unhealthy fats and turn them into dietary fats. They found out that within just three weeks of cocoa consumption, the body and fatty tissue weights were much higher than those who didn’t consume real cocoa.
This is due to cocoa’s inhibitors which suppress appetite, hence the reason most weight loss products contain raw cocoa. However, the recommended daily consumption is no more than 40 grams or 4 teaspoons. If you find the taste too strong, you can always add some almond, soya, or rice milk to your drink, but avoid cow’s milk as it will prevent antioxidant absorption. Gently heat a delicious hot cocoa drink before lunch or dinner in order to suppress your appetite
Combat fatigue and increase your energy levels
Consuming this superfood in the form of powder helps stimulate the endorphin hormone that literally gives you the buzz all day. Thanks to a number of ingredients present in raw cocoa, the blood flow to the brain is enhanced, thus increasing your energy levels. Magnesium is an excellent source of energy that boosts brain activity. This essential mineral also builds stronger bines and regulates blood pressure.
If you’re suffering from weakness or fatigue, then your body may be lacking magnesium. By consuming raw cocoa powder, you can increase your concentration, alertness, and energy levels. Another important ingredient that’s present in raw cocoa is theobromine. This mild stimulant is in a natural form and boosts serotonin levels. You can enjoy this superfood by adding it directly to smoothies, shakes, and protein drinks in order to get the most benefits out of it.
Prevent tooth decay
Recent studies from Virginia University discovered that an extract of cocoa powder is more effective in preventing cavities than fluoride toothpaste. This extract helps harden tooth enamel and prevent decay from forming every time bacteria in the mouth turns sugar into acids. The compounds found in cocoa beans have antibacterial effects and fight against plaque. Although milk chocolate contains more harmful sugars and most dentists advise against it, you should switch to dark chocolate that has a minimum of 70 per cent cocoa as the second best choice.
The amount of sugar that’s present in cocoa beans is much less than in milk chocolate plus the added benefit of having antibacterial agents. If you wish to switch to dark chocolate, it’s best to go organic, but raw is even better because it’s less processed and contains more antioxidants. Just think of the health benefits for your teeth the next time you buy raw cocoa powder.
Improve your cognitive function and prevent dementia
Exactly how raw cocoa improves the cognitive function is still unknown, but extensive research reveals that the compound present in this superfood increases circulation and growth of blood vessels. This could explain the cognitive improvements that are seen in Alzheimer patients. A recent Harvard study showed that elderly people who drank up to two cups a day had better memory than those who didn’t consume this drink at all.
A typical one ounce of dark chocolate contains about 50 milligrams of flavonoids which are the essential ingredients for a healthy brain function. There is now even more reasons to enjoy your tea, coffee, smoothies, or energy drink with a teaspoon of cocoa powder as an added extra. Remember that diversity and variety in your daily diet is important so always vary what you eat and how much you eat.
Say goodbye to sunburns
Vitamin D has crucial bone-building and skin rejuvenating effects. But exposure to too much sun can trigger the formation of free radicals which ultimately damage the skin. A recent study by an Oxford scientist on 20 participants revealed some amazing results.
Those who ate 15 grams of cocoa for 2 months were able to stay in the sun for much longer without getting burned than those who didn’t eat this food at all. Dark chocolate is a great source of bone-healthy polyphenols that not only protect your skin from the UV rays of the sun, but they also beautify it. Dietary flavonoids from cocoa contribute to dermal blood circulation and keep the skin hydrated for longer.
Lower your blood pressure naturally
Raw cocoa beans contain countless nutrients that are beneficial for the body. They are also the richest source of magnesium, containing a staggering 400 mg of magnesium per 100 grams. This is 30 times more than an ounce of cauliflower and 10 times more than a banana.
Extensive studies have proved that regular consumption of raw cocoa beans is highly beneficial for the blood pressure. An analysis on Kuna Indians who live in Panama showed that these people have extraordinary low blood pressure as they enjoy large quantities of locally prepared raw cocoa beans and consume these as snacks. You can reduce your blood pressure by increasing your exercise intake and achieving a healthy body weight. You can also incorporate superfoods that are rich in magnesium into your daily diet.
Balance your hormones and improve your mood
Raw cocoa boosts serotonin in the brain. This is the feel good chemical that contributes to your moods. Women experiencing pre-menstrual symptoms can increase their serotonin levels naturally by consuming cocoa days before their periods start. The benefits of this superfood are proven to boost the feel-good hormones. In addition, raw cocoa stimulates endorphins and neurotransmitters that regulate mood.
There are also other chemicals such as anandamide and phenylethlamine that are also present in cocoa and work as natural anti-depressants. These endorphins act as natural pain relievers due to their high levels of neurotransmitters, thus making them ideal for women who experience bad PMS. If you wish to balance your hormones naturally, consider adding a spoonful of cocoa powder to your beverage and consume it regularly.
Raw cocoa benefits longevity without causing any negative side effects
Unlike processed chocolates, raw cocoa isn’t stripped of its antioxidants. The benefits you can get from organic cocoa include much higher levels of catechins, epicatechins, and resveratrol. There are also omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that prevent inflammation in joints. These well-known antioxidants and amino acids only come from unprocessed foods.
There is no denying how healthy this superfood is, especially after extensive studies revealed that it can benefit longevity. Although for many years people were afraid of becoming addicted to cocoa and tried to stay away from this super healthy food, scientists later realised that you can become addicted to any type of food that tastes good and makes you feel good. However, addiction is mostly a mental condition and doesn’t relate directly to the food you’re consuming. The health benefits of raw cocoa are outstanding and there are no known negative side effects, even when you consume these beans every day.
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