Unleash the power of cacao and cocoa

Is cocoa powder good for you?

To understand this, we must first expand on where cocoa comes from. Cocoa from cacao beans harvested from cacao trees. The seeds are collected and trying to release their taste. From there, the cacao is dried, roasted and ground to a paste. The cocoa butter is removed from the paste and the cocoa powder remains dry. A combination of cocoa butter and powder is used in the production of chocolate.

Cocoa is often used in the kitchen and can be added to almost anything. From hot cocoa to pancakes and even yoghurt and ice cream. Some people even choose to eat raw, although we do not recommend it.

Benefits of cocoa powder

In addition to the many flavours of chocolate, cocoa powder has many health benefits that prove that cocoa powder can be good for you.

• One ounce of cocoa powder has 10 calories, three grams of carbohydrates, one gram of protein, two grams of fibre and less than one gram of fat. This makes cocoa an easy way to add more fibre to your diet.

• It is rich in iron, magnesium, zinc and manganese.

• The flavonoids epicatechin and catechin are present in Let’s talk about cacao and cacao and have anti-inflammatory properties.

• The neurotransmitter phenethylamine is powdered and is a natural antidepressant and mood enhancer. Cocoa powder also releases endorphins and serotonin, which also contribute to a happier mood.

• One ounce of cocoa powder contains about 12 milligrams of coffee, which is less than a cup of coffee or a glass of soda.

• It helps regulate your metabolism and energy consumption and at the same time, you feel full for a long time.

• Available flavanols have been shown to be good for your skin, provide a detoxifying effect and also increase skin elasticity.

With all these benefits mentioned above, it’s easy to see how well you enjoy what chocolate is to you – in moderation. But what are the disadvantages?

Side effects of cacao

While the aforementioned benefits speak for themselves, excessive consumption of cocoa powder can have side effects. For starters, it contains caffeine and other caffeine-related chemicals. This means that people with a sensitivity to coffee and caffeine react to chocolate. Possible side effects include fast heartbeat, insomnia, nervousness and increased urination.

Cocoa powder has also been found to cause allergic reactions, headaches, dizziness, nausea and flatulence.

These effects are possible; however, consuming chocolate and cocoa powder is safe for most people.

And the verdict is…

Based on our research, a moderate amount of cocoa powder may be right for you. Of course, it can be different for everyone. You know your body and how it responds to certain ingredients, so use it as a guide for your approach.