is made with beans crushed, and fat or cacao butter added.
is today most renowned for its role in the manufacture of chocolate. But modern research has shown that it contains substantial compounds that can protect your health.
There are 11 advantages of for health and nutrition.
1. Rich in Polyphenols That Provide Several Health Benefits.
Source : 2000agro.com.mx
Polyphenols are antioxidants which occur naturally in foods such as fruits, vegetables, tea, and wine.
They have been associated with many health benefits, including lower inflammation, improved blood circulation, lower blood pressure, and increased cholesterol and blood levels.
One of the main polyphenol sources is cacao. In flavanols which have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, it is particularly abundant.
However, being processed and heated will cause it to lose its beneficial properties. Reducing bitterness is also frequently handled with alkaline, resulting in a 60 per cent decrease in flavanol content ( Source ).
2. Can reduce high blood pressure by improving levels of nitric oxides
Source : wikimedia.org
can help to lower blood pressure, both in its
powdered form and in the form of dark ( Source ).
This effect was first observed in Central America's cocoa-drinking island men, who
had much less blood pressure than their non-cocoa-drinking mainland relatives ( Source ).
The flavanols in are thought to boost blood nitric oxide levels, which
can enhance blood vessel function and minimize blood pressure ( Source 1 , Source 2 ).
One study evaluated 35 studies that delivered 0.05–3.7 ounces (1.4–105 grams) of products to patients, or about 30–1.218 mg of flavanols. It found that provided a small but significant reduction in blood pressure of 2 mmHg.
In addition, the impact in people who already had high blood pressure was greater than those without it and in older people relative to younger people ( Source ).
SUMMARY*
Studies show that is rich in flavanols, which reduces blood pressure by raising levels of nitric oxide and the function of the blood vessels. containing flavanols between 30–1.218 mg will reduce blood pressure by an average of 2 mmHg.
3. Could lower your risk of stroke and heart attack
Besides reducing blood pressure, tends to have certain properties that can decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke .
Flavanol-rich increases the blood's level of nitric oxide, calming and dilating the arteries and blood vessels and increasing blood flow .
Moreover, has been found to reduce "poor" LDL cholesterol, have a similar aspirin-like blood thinning effect, increase blood sugars, and decrease inflammation .
Such features were associated with a lower risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke .
A analysis of nine studies in 157,809 people showed that there was a substantially lower risk of heart disease, stroke and death associated with higher intake.
Two Swedish studies have shown that consumption is associated with a lower heart failure risk at doses of up to one serving of 0.7–1.1 ounces (19–30 grams) of per day, but the effect was not seen when eating higher quantities.
These findings indicate that daily intake of small quantities of cocoa-rich will provide the heart with protective benefits.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/SUMMARY*
has the ability to improve blood flow and reduce cholesterol. Eating up to one serving a day will reduce the risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke.
4. Polyphenols improve blood flow to the brain and liver
Several studies have shown that polyphenols like those in chocolate, by enhancing
brain function and blood flow, can reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Flavanols can cross the blood-brain barrier and are involved in the biochemical
pathways for the operation of your brain that generate neurons and essential molecules.
In turn, flavanols affect nitric oxide production, which relaxes your blood
vessel's muscles, increases blood flow and blood supply to your brain.
A two-week study of 34 older adults with high-flavanol showed that blood flow
to the brain increased by 8% after a week and by 10% after two weeks.
Recent research indicate that regular consumption of flavanols in
people with and without mental illness may enhance mental output.
Such findings indicate a positive role for in brain development and
possible beneficial effects on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
There is therefore a
need for further research.
SUMMARY*
flavanols can promote the growth of neurons, brain function and increase blood flow and supply to brain tissues. We may play a role in preventing age-related brain degeneration, for example in Alzheimer's disease, but further work is needed.
5. Can improve mood and symptoms of various types of depression
Source: article.images.consumerreports.org
Besides the beneficial effect of on age-related mental degeneration, its effect on the brain can also boost mood and depression symptoms.
The beneficial effects on mood can be attributable to the flavanols of cocoa, the conversion of tryptophan to the natural mood stabilizer serotonin, its amount of caffeine or simply the sensory enjoyment of chocolate.
One research on consumption and stress rates in pregnant women showed that more frequent intake was associated with lower stress and better baby mood.
In addition, another study found that drinking high-polyphenol increased relaxation and satisfaction.
In addition, a study in senior men found that consumption was correlated with improving physical health and psychological well-being.
Although the findings of these early studies are encouraging, more work is needed on the impact of on mood and depression before it can draw more definitive conclusions.
2. Can reduce high blood pressure by improving levels of nitric oxides
Source : wikimedia.orgmay have some beneficial impact on mood and depressive symptoms by rising stress levels and promoting calmness, contentment and overall psychological health. There is therefore a need for further research.
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