Cocoa is usually consumed in the powder form and is an amazing superfood with awesome health benefits. If you aren’t consuming it , you sure are missing out there on it’s amazing health benefits.

The powder is usually made from roasted and ground cacao seeds, which are also known as cocoa beans.

I remember when I was in secondary school where cocoa was grown. We used to break open the pods, suck on the seeds till all the white material was gone and the seeds were dried and made into chocolate drinks for us
That white stuff called cocoa pulp was delicious.

The powder is then processed into different products like chocolate bars, in baking and drinks.

Cocoa powder is rich in antioxidants and has a rich chocolate flavor and you can only get the best when it’s at least 70% cocoa, so most of the chocolate drinks and bars are devoid of the health benefits.

The botanical name for cocoa is THEOBROMA CACAO. It’s obtained from cocoa beans. The powder is obtained by grinding cocoa seeds and removing cocoa butter and solids from it .

The powder is actually quite bitter. Cocoa trees are quite abundant in Nigeria especially in some states like ondo state, unfortunately we don’t seem to know its value but the international community does. We grow it, export it abroad at a cheap rate , they destroy its health benefits by processing it, so it will be more tasty then they sell it back to us at ridiculous prices , in the processed forms that do damage to our health.

Really sad, how we don’t value what we have

Cocoa powder is rich in antioxidants and has a rich chocolate flavor and you can only get the best when it’s at least 70% cocoa, so most of the chocolate drinks and bars are devoid of the health benefits. The antioxidants include PROCYANIDINS and FLAVONOIDS which have been found to have ANTIAGING PROPERTIES.

If people realised this , they would consume more of pure cocoa despite its bitter taste. It’s a powerhouse and one of Gods gifts to mankind. Its bitterness makes it very helpful to the liver .

Apart from the ANTIOXIDANTS, cocoa is nutrient dense. It contains more than 300 PHYTOCHEMICALS or PHYTONUTRIENTS, vitamins, minerals, and dietary nutrients like carbohydrates, fibre, zinc, copper , iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium ,magnesium and sulphur.

HEALTH BENEFITS

🎯Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease: Since it’s so rich in polyphenols , a group of antioxidants, it’s been found to be beneficial to cardiovascular health. These polyphenols include: anthocyanins, isoflavones, flavones , flavonols. Studies have shown that regular consumption of cocoa can reduce the risk of heart disease by improving blood flow, lowering blood pressure, and reducing the risk of blood clots.

These antioxidants work in two ways to protect the heart:

• They reduce bad cholesterol LDL, which promotes coronary disease especially stroke and heart attack, when oxidised.
• Secondly the polyphenols in cocoa reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by preventing the clumping / aggregation of platelets that then lead to atherosclerosis . It’s been found to help thin the blood also. It improves blood flow and circulation. It’s been shown to perform the same beneficial anti-clotting activity as aspirin with aspirin side effects.

Other ways it helps with cardiovascular health include :

• It’s relatively high in magnesium so small amounts can help lower blood pressure.
• It reduces cholesterol levels in the blood. It raises the good cholesterol HDL while reducing bad cholesterol-LDL
• It can Improve the function of arteries and veins

🎯It modifies the mood:
Cocoa contains compounds that can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural mood enhancers.
It also improves brain function by improving blood flow to the brain.
The flavonoids in cocoa have been found to improve cognitive function, memory, and focus.

🎯Cocoa is very good for the skin:
It contains Resveratrol a powerful antioxidant that activates our Longevity Genes. This helps slows down ageing . The flavonols protect the skin against sun-induced damage. The antioxidants in cocoa can help improve skin texture, protect against damage from UV radiation, and reduce the signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines.
We used to produce a facial powder from cocoa powder without chemicals . There were 3 shades.

🎯It has anti inflammatory powers:
This happens when the bacteria in our gut ferments and breaks cocoa down. Such bacteria are bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria. It fights inflammation of ulcerative colitis. Chronic inflammation in the body is the root cause of most diseases and illnesses . If we can reduce the inflammation in our bodies then we can live healthier lives. It’s important to note that 70% of our immune system is located in the gut. A healthy GUT leads to an effective immune system.

🎯It’s can help with constipation because of its fibre content

🎯It’s been found to increase the metabolic rate of the body . It helps to burn fat and helps in weight loss. It helps us fill full because of fibre content . It’s nutrient dense and low in calories.

🎯It can reduce the symptoms of glaucoma and cataracts. One study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that the flavonoids in cocoa helped improve visual function in people with normal-tension glaucoma, a form of the eye disease.
It also improves blood supply to the eyes

🎯It can help improve liver function in those with cirrhosis. Some studies have shown that cocoa polyphenols can help reduce liver damage caused by toxins or excessive alcohol consumption.
Remember the liver loves bitter foods.

🎯It can be anti- carcinogenic:
Again it boils down to its antioxidant content that has been shown to have anti-carcinogenic properties. Some studies have suggested that cocoa may help prevent the development of certain types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer. I think it’s high fibre content plays a role . However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential anti-carcinogenic effects of cocoa.

🎯It has a healing effect on stomach ulcers:
This is so profound ! It has been found to have anti-adhesive effects on Helicobacter pylori which are implicated stomach ulcers. This means that cocoa may help prevent the bacteria from sticking to the stomach lining and causing ulcers. Cocoa contains compounds especially Polyphenols, that can inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori and reduce its ability to adhere to the stomach wall.

🎯Its a powerful immune booster:
Apart from antioxidants, it also contains minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium, which are essential for a healthy immune system. Zinc is called the gatekeeper of the immune system
In addition to this , cocoa has been found to stimulate the production of antibodies and increase the activity of white blood cells.
They are key components of the immune system.
As studies go on ,some studies have also suggested that the flavonoids in cocoa may help to enhance the body’s ability to fight off infections and illnesses.

🎯Blood sugar control:
Cocoa has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. Improving insulin sensitivity and reversing insulin resistance is key to reversing Diabetes-2. These lead to a reduction in blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for individuals with diabetes or those at risk of developing the disease. I’m emphasising pure cocoa not over processed products.
Raw cocoa is quite bitter so we find that companies tend to over-process it and add other substances to it which are not beneficial and tend to remove cocoas health benefits . To get the best benefits you need to make sure you consume products that contain at least 70% cocoa. I consume raw cocoa powder mixed with some green tea or herbal teas then add raw honey and consume.

For my face I mix raw cocoa with raw honey, turmeric powder, avocado, lemon and neem powder or oil and use as a mask. The result is unbelievable. You see food is the best when it comes to skin health.

Without doubt , The Creator has used nature to gift us with everything we need to live well and long! It’s best to only eats foods the Creator created and to consume them in the unmodified and unprocessed form. Make sure you eat chocolate products that contain a minimum of 70% cocoa.

*Hippocrates said ” Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”.

I must add that cocoa is high in caffeine so don’t take too much at night. Remember moderation is key