Health Benefits of Cocoa

many out there believe cocoa and chocolate to be purely unhealthy vices, however, there's actually many health benefits to be derived from consuming them.

• Reduce high blood pressure

It can reduce high blood pressure in your body by using the flavanols in it to increase nitric oxide levels in the blood

• Reduce risk of heart attack or stroke

Flavonol-rich cocoa can also dialate your arteries and blood vessels, improving blood flow and therefore reducing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke

• Improve brain activity

The polyphenols in cocoa can increase blood flow to your brain

• Improve mood and symptoms of depression

The flavanols it contains naturally produce serotonin in your brain, the neurotransmitter responsible for producing feelings of joy or happiness



• Can improve symptoms of type-2 diabetes

When consumed in moderation, tests have shown that cocoa flavanols can slow down carbohydrate digestion and absorbtion in the gut, improve insulin secretion, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the uptake of sugar out of blood and into muscle.

• Aid Weight Control

When consuming dark chocolate, which contains less sugar than any other type of chocolate, it's been found that the appetite tends to reduce and feelings of fullness increase, which prevents overeating and casual snacking, two huge factors in weight gain.

• May have cancer-protective properties

The flavanol concentration in cocoa is higher per gram than any other food. Studies on the components of cocoa find that they protect cells against damage from reactive molecules

For a more in-depth look at what exactly flavanols are and how they benefit your health, you can look here.