Cacao as a Health Food.
Cacao, which is derived from the seeds of the cacao tree, offers an impressive wealth of health benefits that have gained attention in the wellness community. Rich in antioxidants, cacao can significantly help reduce inflammation and improve heart health by effectively lowering blood pressure and increasing blood flow throughout the body. The flavonoids found in cacao may also enhance various aspects of brain function, including mood and cognitive health. Additionally, cacao serves as a good source of essential minerals such as iron, magnesium, and zinc, which are crucial for maintaining overall well-being and supporting various bodily functions. Consuming cacao in moderation can be a delicious and enjoyable way to boost your health and vitality while savoring its rich flavor.
The plant Theobroma cacao, commonly known as cocoa, is a fruit that is rich in beneficial compounds called polyphenols, with flavonoids being the most prominent. Cacao may potentially have positive effects on heart health due to these powerful compounds. Numerous studies have suggested various ways in which cocoa could help to enhance heart health, such as boosting nitric oxide levels and exhibiting both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These beneficial effects could lead to significant improvements in blood vessel function, blood pressure regulation, insulin resistance, and cholesterol levels, based on the findings of various studies conducted over the years. However, the exact impact of cacao on heart disease risk factors remains a topic of debate among researchers due to conflicting results from different studies. The specific amounts, frequency, and forms of cocoa and polyphenol intake necessary to achieve these health benefits are still not entirely clear. To address this uncertainty, we performed a detailed analysis of numerous research studies to investigate how incorporating cocoa into the diet affects heart disease risk factors such as weight, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure in adults, both with and without existing health conditions. Our main hypothesis was that the polyphenols present in cocoa could play a protective role for the heart by positively influencing factors such as weight management, cholesterol regulation, and blood pressure control.
Consuming cacao extract or very dark chocolate was shown to reduce several cardiovascular risk factors in a new meta-study, a study of other studies. Cacao is a good source of catechins and other polyphenolic compounds like flavanols known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Cacao consumption appeared to lower blood pressure overall, as well as bad cholesterol and blood sugar. Cacao use was associated with improvement in total cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure improvement, and fasting blood glucose.
A new Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials showed dark chocolate over 70%+ cacao can help lower blood pressure.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/12/1919
Cacao in extract or 100% dark chocolate supports heart health by improving cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar control. More research is needed, but early results indicate it may help with weight management and other health indicators. Choose high cacao content for the best heart benefits. Flavanol-rich dark chocolate can lower blood pressure and increase blood flow to the heart by boosting nitric oxide production. It also helps reduce blood clotting, which is important due to the risk of blockages in arteries. Regular consumption is associated with higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, and reduced triglycerides. Additionally, as a fermented food, offering probiotic benefits like those found in sauerkraut and kimchi. The excess flavanols that aren’t absorbed stimulate healthy gut bacteria growth, lowering inflammation. A study showed that drinking cacao regularly increased anti-inflammatory bacteria and reduced inflammatory ones, leading to a significant decrease in inflammation.
A happy gut heralds a happy mind, creating a profound connection between our physical and mental health. In the delightful case of chocolate, this relationship transcends mere psychology and delve into biology. Chocolate not only uplifts mental health in various ways, but it also enriches it significantly with the presence of the love molecule, "phenethylamine," the blissful chemical known as "anandamide," and the happiness hormone recognized as "serotonin." Since these mood-boosting elements are uniquely found in high-quality, real chocolate, it comes as no surprise that a comprehensive study involving 13,626 adults revealed a remarkable 70% decrease in the risk of depression, specifically linked to dark chocolate consumption. This finding holds true even after adjusting for variables such as age, sex, BMI, and daily sugar intake. So, remember to treat your mind kindly and take the time to savor some unrefined chocolate!
While happiness always wins, cognitive longevity is equally important too in our quest for holistic health. Luckily, chocolate also has a significant role to play in fighting the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s disease. For one, cacao flavanols have been shown to increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which acts like miracle-grow for brain cells, promoting their health and regeneration. Cacao extracts along with BDNF have even been demonstrated to protect human neurons from amyloid toxicity, a hallmark of brain aging and decline in action potential that affects cognitive function. While chocolate may not grant you immortality! we still firmly contend it deserves its title as “food of the gods.”
Please also read another great Blog about the key benefits of Cocoa -
https://glonua.com/blog/2021/6/30/eating-chocolate-affects-hunger-substrate-oxidation-and-microbiota
An Irish Showcase:
Earth Food was founded by Maxim in Wexford 2021. At Earth Food, the mission is to energize people and give them healthy food options. All of our ingredients are selected for their rich nutritional benefits. Our chocolate is decadent and all the while boosts wellbeing. Max's passion for great food came at a young age. He enjoyed summers harvesting and eating fresh fruit and enjoyed the wonderful compots that his mum made. He relished the walnuts from his grandmothers garden and the traditional staples of mamaliga, homemade fermented foods and on special occasions Placinta. Earth Foods mission is to energize people and give them healthy treat options. All of our ingredients are selected for their rich nutritional benefits. Our chocolate is decadent and all the while boosts wellbeing.
https://earthfood.ie/blogs/the-chocolate-cronicles/the-origins-of-chocolate
