FoodDrink Chocolate

Cocoa beans have been gaining popularity worldwide, and not simply because they are used to make chocolate! Recent medical studies have proven that consuming these beans can be extremely beneficial to your health. This ingredient is now considered one of the "superfoods" by American medical experts, associating cocoa with spirulina, goji berries, and acai berries. A very popular study confirmed that red wine contains antioxidants, and suggested that drinking red wine on a regular basis can help prolong your life. However, recent research has discovered that this ingredient has 200% of the antioxidant content of red wine!

Cocoa beans have also been proven to have three times the antioxidants of green tea. This an amazing breakthrough, since these beans has historically been categorized as an unhealthy food.The high antioxidant content of this ingredient is extremely effective at eliminating free radicals in the body. These beans contain the powerful antioxidant Epicatechin, which has been proven to help reduce the effects of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Cocoa also contains Pentameric Proccyanidin, which is a natural compound that may prevent cancer cells from dividing. Aside from being a wonderful source of antioxidants, the beans have many other health benefits.

Consuming this ingredient has been proven to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Ingestion of the beans has also been associated with higher levels of endorphins, which causes reduced stress and an overall feeling of well-being.The beans also contain an extremely high level of flavonoids, which may have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. It's been suggested that it can reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as certain cancers. This is due to the fact that consuming it improves the overall blood flow throughout the circulatory and cardiovascular systems. Improved blood flow also suggests that these beans may have positive effects on certain brain functions, such as learning and memory.

To get the maximum amount of antioxidants from this ingredient, it is best to only consume chocolate products with a 60% or higher cocoa content. Also, milk chocolate products are not recommended, due to their high saturated fat content (which can offset the potential heart benefits). If you wish to get the highest possible concentration of antioxidants, pure beans, or cocoa supplements can be purchased for an affordable price.

Marabel Cocoa Farms - cocoa beans
Sanchez and Hispaniola cocoa beans producer and importer from the Dominican Republic.

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