The taste of cocoa is familiar from childhood. It doesn't look like cappuccino or hot chocolate. Its taste is something special that cannot be described in words. Despite this, not everyone knows that this wonderful drink can be harmful. The active substances that make up cocoa have a harmful or beneficial effect on the body. If this product is abused, the beneficial ingredients can negatively affect health.
As with any product, the harm and benefit of cocoa is determined not only by the substances that make up its composition, but also by their quantity. When a person drinks a cup of cocoa, his mood noticeably improves. This is because one of its constituents is a naturally occurring antidepressant, phenylephylamine.
Cocoa can energize a person in the morning, despite the fact that the dose of caffeine in it is not as great as in coffee. This drink contains zinc, protein, vitamins, iron and folic acid, which are essential and beneficial for pregnant women. When cocoa is consumed, endorphins are produced in the body. It is often referred to as the "hormone of joy" as it is needed to maintain energy and good mood.
The product contains a natural pigment - melanin, which protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. Hypertensive patients appreciate cocoa for its ability to lower blood pressure. The drink is rich in procyanidins, which make the skin supple and healthy. Another reason for all-day energy is the high calorie content of cocoa. 100 g of the product contains 400 kcal. Cocoa powder lowers levels of unhealthy liver fats called triglycerides. An excess of these substances indicates the presence of fatty liver disease, diabetes and inflammation.
In tropical countries around the world, large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers are used on plantations in order to cultivate cocoa. This crop is the most intensively treated with pesticides!
The benefits of cocoa have been appreciated by many cosmetologists. Its nourishing properties have come in handy to create a shampoo that gives hair a healthy look and attractive shine. Cocoa is also found in many face creams. SPA-salons include wraps and massage based on cocoa butter in the list of services.
However, this healthy product contains purines. By themselves, they are useful for the human body, since they are responsible for protein processing, metabolism and preserve hereditary information. The concentration of purines should not be exceeded, because an excess can cause salt deposition in the joints, diseases of the genitourinary system and accumulation of uric acid.
After playing sports or after hard physical work, it is recommended to drink organic cocoa, which has not been heat-treated, as it contains a lot of minerals, vitamins and trace elements.
Cocoa should be wary of:
- children under 3 years old;
- people with obesity, since the high calorie content of the drink will negatively affect their weight;
- people who suffer from diabetes mellitus, sclerosis, atherosclerosis, diarrhea;
- people susceptible to stress and other diseases of the central nervous system.
It should be borne in mind that instant cocoa contains dyes and chemical additives, so it is recommended to drink a drink made from natural cocoa powder. You also need to carefully choose the manufacturer and read the information on the label. An unknown manufacturer may produce a product containing chitin.
Chitin is a highly allergenic substance that makes up the shell of cockroaches. This can happen due to unsanitary conditions in the processing of cocoa, when insect particles get into the powder. Often such mistakes are made when purchasing a product from an unverified supplier.
If there are no contraindications to cocoa, then a cup of drink in the morning will fill the body with the necessary useful elements and energy.
