Simple dessert addition can improve heart health and reduce stress
What happens to the body if you eat cocoa often (photo: Freepik)
Cocoa is not only a tasty drink or dessert ingredient but also a true source of bioactive compounds. Regular consumption provides the body with a powerful dose of antioxidants, magnesium, and iron, reports Verywell Health.
Heart health improves
Cocoa beans and powders contain high levels of potassium, which can help maintain healthy blood pressure. Hypertension (high blood pressure) can, over time, lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease, chest pain, and reduced blood flow to the heart.
According to the American Heart Association, getting enough potassium from cocoa may help lower blood pressure while reducing the risk of heart disease or adverse events.
It is important to note that excessive potassium intake can be dangerous, potentially leading to a heart attack. It is best to obtain potassium from food sources.
Metabolic health improves
According to the journal Molecules, cocoa is rich in flavonoids, plant pigments with therapeutic properties for the human body.
Flavonoids in cocoa support metabolic health, which means how the body uses food to produce energy. Research shows that getting enough flavonoids can help maintain metabolic health, especially in people with diabetes.
Body fights oxidative stress
Oxidative stress is a type of imbalance in the body. It occurs when there are too many free radicals or unstable molecules in the system. An excess of unstable molecules can damage cells, leading to inflammation.
Antioxidants are corrective compounds that can counteract damage by stabilizing free radicals. However, they can only do their job if present in sufficient amounts to balance the free radicals in the body.
Stress levels decrease
The journal Nutrients reports that cocoa improves mental health by reducing stress and promoting a sense of relaxation.
The compound tryptophan, an amino acid found in cocoa, helps reduce stress. The body uses tryptophan to produce serotonin, which is responsible for a "good mood."
Iron levels increase
The National Institutes of Health states that raw cocoa beans contain high levels of iron, which the body uses to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells.
Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Iron is also used in hormone production.
Cocoa contains so much iron that it is often considered one of the best sources for people who do not eat meat or animal products. In ancient medicine, it was even used to treat anemia.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
