You probably already eat chocolate for the simple reason that it’s delicious and that’s perfect, but today we want to tell you about 5 health benefits you can get by eating the right chocolate in the right amounts because there is no better consumer than one who makes informed choices. What do we mean by the right chocolate? Well, let’s
let’s start there. Not all chocolate is the same. As a consumer you can easily notice the differences in packaging and labels, our recommendation is to look for chocolates with the following characteristics:
– Organic: Because you make sure you are not consuming toxic residues that come from agrochemicals such as pesticides or fertilizers thus protecting your health and that of the producer.
Likewise, you contribute to preserve the biochemical balance in your organism avoiding anabolics and hormones that are present in soils where clean practices are not carried out.
– Local: Local consumption is a consumption model that is based on community. When you support local producers you contribute to develop the economy of your geographical area, helping to preserve the environment by saving on transportation and intermediaries.
middlemen.
– Vegan: You don’t necessarily have to be vegan to choose vegan chocolate. When you do, you ensure that you are consuming a product free of animal abuse and also avoid gastrointestinal discomfort, taking into account, for example, that 75% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant.
– Not processed at high temperatures: When cocoa is processed at high temperatures, most of the unique health benefits are eliminated, so when you choose a product that has not been subjected to this heat, you are consuming its live enzymes, which is a great benefit for your health.
enzymes which is a better choice for your body. It is also important to keep in mind that the higher the percentage of cocoa in a chocolate, the more cocoa you will be consuming and the less of other ingredients such as sugar.
Now, once you find chocolates or cocoa in other presentations like the one we offer you in Equiori and you consume it regularly, these are some of the benefits that you will perceive in your health:
1. You will feel happier and more relaxed: This is because cocoa is an excellent source of 4 chemical substances that have been scientifically proven to improve mood. These are serotonin, tryptophan, theobromine and phenylethylamine.
2. You will delay the aging process of your body: Cocoa is one of the most antioxidant foods that exist, this means that it fights free radicals, thus slowing down the process of cellular oxidation. To give you an idea, cocoa is 40 times more antioxidant than blueberries.
times more antioxidant than blueberries and 4 to 5 times more antioxidant than açai and goji berries (according to the ORAC indicator that measures the antioxidant power in food).
3. You will enjoy a healthier heart: Cocoa has a high content of flavonols that protect your heart. Studies show that it can prevent cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure and improve circulation.
4. You will feel more natural energy: There are two components in cocoa responsible for this pleasant feeling of energy these are magnesium and theobromine. Magnesium deficiency is one of the most common mineral deficiencies today and one of its symptoms is fatigue.
one of its symptoms is fatigue, so by consuming cocoa you are helping your body not to feel tired. On the other hand, theobromine is a compound similar to caffeine, however, its effects are less pronounced and longer lasting.
5. It can help you lose weight: It has been proven that cocoa accelerates metabolism and acts as a natural appetite suppressant due to its coumarin content. There are no miracle foods or pills to lose pounds, but this food is a great ally as long as you accompany it with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
Now you know that cocoa apart from being delicious is a very powerful food that should not be missing in your diet. Be sure to choose well and enjoy its benefits!
References:
One Green Planet. (2013). INFOGRAPHIC: Health Benefits of Raw Cacao. Retrieved March 26, 2020 from https://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/vegan- health/infographic-health-benefits-of-raw-cacao/ Jacobs, R. (NA). 12 Amazing Benefits of Raw Cacao (& Delicious Ways to Eat It).
Retrieved March 26, 2020 from https://blog.paleohacks.com/raw-cacao-benefits/. Living fresh daily. (2019). 5 Amazing Raw cacao benefits. Retrieved March 26, 2020 from https://livingfreshdaily.com/5-cacao-health-benefits/.
Greenpeace / Perawongme, A. (NA) Farmers Should Choose What They Grow. Retrieved March 26, 2020 from https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/sustainable- agriculture/issues/small-farmers/.
REVISTA DE DIVULGACIÓN CIENTÍFICA Y TECNOLÓGICA DE LA UNIVERSIDAD VERACRUZANA. (2012)
What are antioxidants and what are they for? Retrieved March 26, 2020 from https://www.uv.mx/cienciahombre/revistae/vol25num2/articulos/antioxidantes/
