Health benefits of Cocoa

Cocoa is most commonly associated with chocolate and has a variety of nutritional benefits that can confirm positive health attributes. The cocoa bean is an accident source of dietary polyphenols, containing more finale antioxidants than most foods. It is well known that polyphenols are associated with beneficial health effects, therefore cocoa is rich in polyphenols, and dark chocolate, which contains a high percentage of cacao and high antioxidants compounds relative to other chocolate types, have assumed significant importance to health.

It is important to note that the bitterness of polyphenols is the reason that unprocessed cocoa beans are unpalatable; manufacturers have developed a processing technique to eliminate this bitterness. However, this process markedly decreases the polyphenol content. Polyphenol content can be lowered by up to tenfold. Cocoa beans also contain nitrogenous compounds – these include both protein and methylxanthines, namely theobromine and caffeine. Cocoa is also rich in minerals, phosphorus, iron, potassium, copper, and magnesium.

Cocoa is predominantly ingested in the form of chocolate; chocolate consumption has seen a recent increase globally, with dark chocolate becoming increasingly popular owing to its high concentrations of cocoa and associated beneficial health effects compared to normal or milk chocolate. In addition, come on chocolates with lower cocoa content such as milk chocolate are typically associated with adverse events due to high sugar and fat contents.

In terms of ingesting cocoa, dark chocolate is the predominant cocoa foodstuff associated with health-promoting effects; cocoa in its raw form is unpalatable. There is a series of beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system that is associated with regular intake of cocoa-containing foods and beverages these encompass effects on blood pressure, vascular and platelet function, and insulin resistance.

Polyphenols, which are present in high concentrations in cocoa and dark chocolate, can activate endothelial nitrogen oxide synthase. This leads to the generation of nitrogen oxide, which lowers blood pressure by promoting vasodilation. Studies have shown improvements in pulse wave speed and sclerotic score index. Moreover, greater concentrations of plasma epicatechins aid in the release of endothelium-derived vasodilators and increase the concentration of plasma procyanidins. This leads to greater production of nitrogen oxide, and its bioavailability.

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