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The health benefits of cocoa include relief from high blood pressure,
cholesterol, obesity, constipation, diabetes, bronchial asthma, cancer, chronic
fatigue syndrome and various neurodegenerative diseases. It is beneficial for
quick wound healing, skin care, and it helps to improve cardiovascular health
and brain health. It also helps in treating copper deficiency. It possesses
mood-enhancing properties and exerts protective effects against neurotoxicity.
The antioxidant content of raw cacao benefits the cardiovascular and
general whole body health. In processed dark chocolate, antioxidants such as
epichatehins, chatechins, resveratrol and procyanidins can be present, but are
in much lower levels than in unheated raw chocolate nibs as an example. Out of
all the whole foods that contain antioxidants, raw chocolate is the highest in
the world. It dwarfs the popular foods and beverages commonlytouted as being
antioxidant rich foods such as red wine, green tea and blueberries by a factor
of 10x or more! There are certain herbs and spices, such as the chaga mushroom
and cinnamon, which have higher levels of antioxidants in them but generally
you won't be consuming enough volume of them to get as much antioxidant value
from them as you would from a normal dose of raw cacao. Benefits from consuming
antioxidants come when a range of different types of foods high in them are in
your diet, since different coloured foods have different antioxidant compounds
which target different parts of the body. The phytochemical analysis of cacao
beans reveal that raw chocolate is perhaps the most chemically complex food on
Earth. There are compounds yet to be discovered in this most amazing of live
superfoods. Phytochemicals usually degrade in the cooking process, so the raw
forms of them should be abundant in every diet for longevity.
Anandamide (the only food that contains this neurotransmitter
responsible for the feeling of "bliss")
N-linoleoylethanolamine (prevents the re-uptake of anandamide)
Phenethylamine (PEA, a neurotransmitter known as the "love
molecule")
Serotonin (a neurotransmitter that acts as a "stress defence
shield" by making you feel good)
Dopamine (a neurotransmitter that boosts motivation and pleasure)
MAO Inhibitors (prevents the re-uptake of serotonin and dopamine)
Coumarin (has appetite suppressant, blood thinner and anti-tumour
properties)
Theobromine (controversial but actually quite beneficial for humans)
Asparaginase (an enzyme that has anti-leukaemia properties)
Ergosterol (a precursor to vitamin D)
Sitosterol (decreases LDL cholesterol)
The nutrient density of raw cacao benefits every function of the body.
One of the many cool facts about chocolate is that it is the highest source of
magnesium and chromium of any food! Magnesium is the most deficient mineral in
the average human. All of the compounds found in raw cacao benefits longevity
in humans.
Vitamin A
Vitamin B (1, 2, 3, 5 and 6)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Magnesium
Copper
Calcium
Manganese
Zinc
Sulphur
Iron
Chromium
Phosphorus
Omega 6 Fatty Acid
Saturated Fats
Amino Acids
Carbohydrates
Soluble Fibre (which is the type people need more of)
Enzymes (including catalase, lipase and amylase)
Other Beneficial Phytonutrients (such as the antioxidants already mentioned in
this article)
Blood pressure: Flavonoid-rich cocoa aids in lowering blood
pressure and improving the elasticity of blood vessels. Research studies
conducted on this subject have shown positive changes in the systolic and
diastolic blood pressure as a consequence of consuming cocoa-based products
instead of black and green tea. These favourable changes are attributed to the
presence of antioxidants in cocoa that stimulates the production of nitric
oxide, which helps to keep blood vessels relaxed. Furthermore, this helps in maintaining
a healthy circulatory system.
Antioxidant Capacity: A comparative research study has made
it evident that cocoa exhibits higher antioxidant activity than against black
tea, green tea and red wine. Antioxidants helps to neutralize the oxygen-based
free radicals that are present in the body. In addition to this, it is abundant
in phenolic phytochemicals and possesses a high amount of flavonoids as well.
Brain Health: Scientists have suggested that flavonol-rich
cocoa may extend its beneficial effects to maintaining a healthy brain. These
neuroprotective benefits could also have favourable effects on learning and
memory functions. The findings have advocated that the consumption of
cocoa-based products enhances the flow of blood to the brain and they have
provided evidence of the therapeutic potential for curing vascular disorders.
Blood Cholesterol: An investigative research study has shown
that cocoa has hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolaemia effects on both glucose
and cholesterol levels, respectively. A diet containing it has also shown a
reduction in triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and glucose level. It has also
demonstrated a noteworthy rise in the levels of healthy HDL cholesterol in the
test subjects.
Diabetes: The consumption of cocoa has been shown to be
effective in improving insulin resistance and glucose metabolism. This, in
turn, aids in regulating sugar levels in the body. The proanthocyanidins derived
from it help in inhibiting the cataract formation occasionally induced by
diabetes. An investigative study has confirmed that it exerts protective
antioxidant activity in the treatment of long term diabetic complications such
as diabetic nephrotoxicity. Nephrotoxicity plays a key role in diabetes
mellitus and it is the major cause of severe renal disease. Free radicals
aggravate these diabetic complications by promoting oxidative stress, leading
to cell and tissue damage. The free radical scavenging activity of cocoa has
shown therapeutic effects in treating and preventing this sort of cellular
injury. The findings of another research study suggests that the consumption of
flavonol-rich cocoa has shown therapeutic potential in improving the vascular function
of diabetics on various medications.
Bronchial Asthma: Cocoa beans contain xanthine and
theophylline, which aid in relaxing bronchial spasms and opening constricted
bronchial tubes. This facilitates an easy flow of air and is valuable in curing
various allergies, including asthma and shortness of breath. Its consumption
therefore helps in providing relief from bronchial asthma.
Wound Healing: Cocoa extracts have been trusted for their
therapeutic and wound-healing properties in the manufacturing of natural
medicinal products. The extracts help in preventing the development of various
kinds of infections in the body. Along with the appropriate medication, it has
also been considered helpful in eradicating Helicobacter pylori bacteria from
the body.
Obesity: A study has shown the potential benefits of cocoa
in preventing high-fat diet-induced obesity. Its intake helps in modulating
lipid metabolism and reducing the synthesis and transport of fatty acids. It
has also demonstrated an improvement in thermogenesis, the mechanism of heat
production in white adipose tissues and the liver.
Cardiovascular Health: Studies have shown that cocoa exerts
beneficial effects on cardiovascular health as well. It is rich in flavonoids
namely, procyanidin, catechin, and epicatechin, which have antioxidant
properties and help in protecting the cells from damage while strengthening the
heart. It also aids in improving endothelial function and stimulating the
beneficial HDL cholesterol. It helps in preventing the formation of fatal blood
clots, which can lead to stroke or cardiac failure. Blood platelets play an
important role in cardiovascular disorders. Flavonoids present in cocoa possess
anti-platelet aggregating effects and modulate primary haemostasis, which is
the measure of time blood takes to clot. All these health effects help in
preventing the proliferation of various medical conditions like atherosclerosis
and thrombosis, which are some of the prime causes of more serious
cardiovascular diseases.
Mood Enhancer: Consuming cocoa has shown antidepressant-like
effects on certain physiological processes. Studies have shown that cocoa
flavonols help to enhance mood, combat depression, and promote improved
cognitive activities during persistent mental exertion. The presence of the
neurochemical phenylethylamine in it also helps in enhancing feelings of
contentment and promoting aphrodisiac effects.
Constipation: Research studies have demonstrated that the
consumption of cocoa husk exerts therapeutic effects in treating chronic
constipation and bowel function diseases. As per the study done on pediatric
patients, consumption of fiber-rich cocoa products resulted in faster colonic,
rectal and intestinal transit times. Another study also advocated that regular
consumption of cocoa products have shown to encourage better bowel function by
reduction in time to have bowel movements, increase the frequency of bowel
movements, and make a softer consistency of stool without inducing any other
side effects like gastrointestinal discomfort or abdominal pain.
Cancer: Cocoa has demonstrated beneficial effects in
inhibiting the growth of cancer cells without effecting the growth of normal
healthy cells. Studies have provided evidence regarding the chemopreventive and
anti-proliferative qualities exerted by the flavonols and procyanidins present
in cocoa. These healing effects have proven extremely valuable in the treatment
of various types of cancer, including colon cancer and prostate cancer.
Copper Deficiency: Cocoa extends its benefits to treating
copper deficiency in patients on long-term enteral nutrition. Research studies
have revealed that cocoa is quite valuable in copper substitution therapy, and
has resulted in significant improvements in the haemoglobin level, leucocyte
count, and copper content in such patients. According to the findings, cocoa is
considered valuable as a copper-rich component to be included in the diet to
maintain normal levels of copper as well as a remedy for treating copper
deficiency in such conditions. It helps in preventing and treating the diseases
caused due to copper deficiency in the body such as anaemia, neutropenia and
leukopenia.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Cocoa has been shown to exert
calming effects on people suffering from chronic fatigue. The attenuating
effects of cocoa is attributed to the release of neurotransmitters like
serotonin, anandamide and phenylethylamine in the brain, which exert protective
effects from oxidative stress on the neuronal cells and helps in combating
chronic fatigue syndrome.
Skin Care: Cocoa has also been found to be effective in
maintaining good skin health. Research findings suggest that the consumption of
flavonol-rich cocoa helps in decreasing the effects of UV- induced erythema and
reducing skin roughness and scaling. It also aids in enhancing skin elasticity,
hydration, and density. Another study confirmed that epicatechin present in
cocoa aids in elevating the oxygen saturation of haemoglobin, stimulating the
healthy flow of blood in the dermal tissues, and contributing to endogenous
photo-protection. It is used in the preparation of various skin care products.
Neurodegenerative Disorders: The presence of major flavonols
like epicatechin and catechin in cocoa has shown beneficial effects in treating
neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Research findings suggest that
these phytochemicals have synergistic qualities, which aid in reducing the
oxidative stress on the mind. This helps in preventing neuronal cell damage and
exerts a protective effect on the cellular membrane against cytotoxicity.
Magnesium Deficiency: Another benefit of cocoa products is
their role in preventing the ill effects of a magnesium deficiency in the body.
An investigative research study has confirmed that the regular consumption of
cocoa products may prove beneficial in preventing the adverse effects caused
due to a diet lacking in magnesium for an extended period of time
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