Showing posts with label healthy chocolate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy chocolate. Show all posts

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Healthy Chocolate

There is no denying that cocoa has played a major role in the development of both Mesoamerican and European History. Even today, fortunes are won and lost on the price fluctuations of this highly sought-after commodity, as traders bet on the moves of cocoa futures. Cocoa is produced in mass amounts in only a handful of countries around the world, many of which are not always politically or economically stable.

Recent discoveries in Honduras showed traces of cocoa on cups and plates dating back to 2000 B.C. Between 200 and 900 A.D., the Mayan culture celebrated cocoa as a central part of their agriculture, economy, medicine and religion.

While cocoa was a celebrated and valued part ofancient Mesoamerican society, ancient records have also revealed more than 150 uses of cocoa for medicinal purposes.

Europeans were first introduced to cacao by the Spanish conquistadors around 1505 A.D. 
By the mid-1600’s, European healers were “prescribing” cacao as a medicine to stimulate the health function of the spleen and digestive tract, as well as a cure for all manner of ailments and diseases. Cacao was valued as a means to heal colds and coughing attacks, enhance mental acuity, fight inflammation, and improve overall nutrition.

Advertisements in the late 1800’s touted cocoa’s benefits for patients with asthma, bronchial, and lung trouble.

Cocoa was a mainstay in medical recommendations throughout Europe, North and South America until the third decade of the 19th century.

By the 1950s, chocolate had completely lost its association with health and healing. Many of today’s most famous chocolate companies got their start during the Great Depression, known to those in the business as the “hungry thirties” due to the popularity of this cheap diversion from the doldrums of everyday life during the economic crisis. Are we experiencing the “hungry 2000s” today?

Most of us have only an improper diet to blame for our  obesity, low energy, mood swings and other health problems. Of course, this can be corrected by changing what we eat, and by consuming more of the foods listed below:

1. The Acai Berry
2. Blueberries
3. Unprocessed Cocoa

The cocoa bean contains several minerals and vitamins which are useful. Dark chocolate contains magnesium, which is necessary for muscle relaxation, nerve conduction, energy production and bone and teeth development and overall health.  Magnesium deficiencies intensify the effects of PMS (premenstrual syndrome). Copper found in rich supply in dark cocoa is involved in many of the chemical processes in the body. Dark cocoa also contains high levels of potassium, which is vital for cardiovascular health.

Even though we are taught that saturated fats are harmful to the cardiovascular system, the saturated stearic acid fat from the cocoa bean does not elevate blood cholesterol like other saturated fatty acids. Fat from cocoa butter is not absorbed well by the intestinal tract, and is considered “neutral” in terms of its effect on weight gain and impact on cholesterol. 
Research shows that these cacao fatty acids may modify LDL-C, making it more resistant to oxidation.

There have also been studies showing that dark cocoa can help reduce dental cavities, decrease the plaque on teeth, and prevent gum disease.

In several studies, dark chocolate has been shown to decrease blood pressure, which in turn decreases the damage to heart vessels.  Cocoa is thought to be a renin-angiotension enzyme
inhibitor, which is the same principle on which many blood pressure pills work (ACE inhibitors).

Conclusions:

Cocoa has been found to help with liver damage, and can help repair liver cells after long term exposure to alcohol.

Research proves that flavonoids from ingested cocoa are being utilized by the body, and positively affect the body’s immune system.

High levels of flavanols found in chocolate can improve mental acuity when taken in the proper amounts.

Cocoa contributes to decreased isoprostane levels in the body, proving the absorption of cocoa antioxidants.

Flavonols and other compounds of cocoa improve the body’s natural ability to fight cardiovascular diseases.
 
Cocoa appears to be more effective than black tea, wine and grape juices in helping reduce high bloodpressure.

The epicatechins in cocoa can protect the heart muscles after a heart attacks.

Cocoa can help slow the effects of Parkinson’s.

Cocoa may delay, or even prevent, dementia.

Cocoa has indeed come full circle from a Mesoamerican medicinal drink to a modern-day functional food that provides significant health benefits. Reports continue to come in regarding the wide range of benefits from cocoa, including powerful protection against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.Cocoa is the “long-lost secret” that represents a solution to so many health problems that the world’s population faces today.