Cocoa is most known for its role in chocolate production. However, modern research has revealed that it does contain important compounds that benefit your health.
Health benefits:
- Cocoa is one of the richest sources of polyphenols. It’s especially abundant in flavanols, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
However, processing and heating cocoa can cause it to lose its beneficial properties. It’s also often treated with alkaline to reduce bitterness, which results in a 60% decrease in flavanol content.
So while cocoa is a great source of polyphenols, not all products containing cocoa will provide the same benefits.
- Cocoa may be able to help lower blood pressure.
The flavanols in cocoa are thought to improve nitric oxide levels in the blood, which can enhance the function of your blood vessels and reduce blood pressure.
However, it’s important to remember that processing significantly reduces the number of flavanols, so the effects most likely will not be seen from the average chocolate bar.
- Cocoa may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Flavanol-rich cocoa improves the level of nitric oxide in your blood, which relaxes and dilates your arteries and blood vessels and improves blood flow.
In addition, cocoa has been found to reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol, have a blood thinning effect similar to aspirin, improve blood sugars and reduce inflammation.
These properties have been linked to a lower risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke.
- Polyphenol improves blood flow to brain.
Flavanols in cocoa can support neuron production, brain function and improve blood flow and supply to brain tissue. They may have a role in preventing age-related brain degeneration, such as in Alzheimer’s disease, but more research is needed.
- Cocoa may have some positive effects on mood.
The positive effects on mood may be due to cocoa’s flavanols, the conversion of tryptophan to the natural mood stabilizer serotonin, its caffeine content or simply the sensory pleasure of eating chocolate.
It could also help symptoms of depression by reducing stress levels and improving calmness, contentment and overall psychological well-being. However, more research is needed.
- Flavanols may improve symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Research shows eating flavanol-rich dark chocolate or cocoa can reduce insulin sensitivity, improve blood sugar control and reduce inflammation in diabetic and non-diabetic people.
Consuming too much chocolate is certainly not good for blood sugar control, but cocoa does, in fact, have some anti-diabetic effects.
Summary:
Cocoa has many more health benefits than the ones mentioned above, but remember, most chocolate still contains significant quantities of sugar and fats, so if you’re going to consume it, stick to reasonable portion sizes and combine it with a healthy balanced diet and exercise for an ultimate healthy lifestyle.