Whether it is a hot cocoa drink early in the morning or a cool treat in the evenings, drinking cocoa beverages delivers a wide range of nutrients that are beneficial to the health. They mostly contain minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, iron and other essential minerals, in addition to these, it contains a good amount of carbohydrates, proteins and dietary fiber. Cocoa has little cholesterol, however, it has mono-saturated and saturated fats such as oleic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid. Cocoa has also been found to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. The benefits of cocoa beverage to the body system are quite numerous and some of these are:
- Lowers blood pressure: No wonder cocoa beverages serve as a good drink for aged people with high blood pressure. Cocoa helps in lowering blood pressure and improving elasticity of blood vessels. The presence of antioxidants and flavonoid-rich compounds helps to keep blood vessels in optimal condition thereby maintaining a healthy circulatory system.
- Aids treatment in diabetics: Research has shown that regular consumption of cocoa can improve insulin resistance and glucose metabolism. The antioxidants present in cocoa perform protective activity in the treatment of diabetic nephrotoxicity. Consumption of cocoa also has been shown to improve the vascular function of diabetics when using various drugs and medications.
- Prevents obesity: Consuming cocoa helps in treating obesity by reducing the synthesis and transport of fatty acids in the body. It also has hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effects on glucose and cholesterol levels respectively. It however gives rise to higher levels of healthy fats in the body.
- Positively influences the mood: Cocoa helps to enhance the mood and combat depression. It possesses properties that help in improving psychological conditions and helps to fight depression. Hot cocoa in particular helps to enhance the effects of our feel good hormones such as dopamine, it has also been found to have aphrodisiac effects on certain individuals.
- Helps in skin care: It is well known that cocoa butter is a good skin moisturizer that helps in maintaining the youthfulness and appearance of the skin. Internally, consumption of cocoa aids in minimizing the effects of rough skin, scaling and UV-induced erythema. Cocoa also helps in maintaining elasticity of skin and stimulating the healthy flow of blood in the dermal tissues.
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