The Wonderful Weight Loss Benefits of Cocoa Powder
You might know cocoa powder as that tasty, chocolatey substance you add to cookies, cakes and, of course, a hot cup of cocoa. But did you know it actually has health benefits, too?
Well, it’s true.
Cocoa powder isn’t just a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth. It’s also a way to lose weight, decrease blood pressure and improve health on the whole.
How Cocoa Powder Can Benefit You
Though cocoa powder is certainly a sweetener, when used in moderation, it can offer your body a slew of health benefits that just can’t be denied.
Cocoa powder can:
Increase fat metabolism – Supplementing your diet with raw, organic cocoa powder can actually improve your body's ability to metabolize fat and use it as energy. In fact, according to a 2005 study in Nutrition magazine, when rats were fed real cocoa as a part of their diet, they exhibited significantly lower rates of fatty tissue than rats that weren’t.
Help you lose weight – Cocoa can help boost your weight loss results in a number of ways. First, it helps stimulate serotonin production in the brain. This chemical regulates your mood and helps suppress your appetite, which means you’ll consume less calories in the long run. Additionally, cocoa is naturally low in calories, with a mere 90 per serving. This makes cutting calories – and losing weight – a breeze.
Ward off diseases and health conditions – According to research from Harvard Medical Schools, populations that have a high intake of raw cocoa powder have extremely low rates of cancer, heart disease and stroke, three of the biggest health problems plaguing our world today.
Improve heart health – Cocoa powder can have numerous benefits on the heart, lowering blood pressure, increasing blood flow and warding off high cholesterol. It also raises good cholesterol levels (HDLs), thins your blood and fights off plaque formation and build-up. That means a lower chance of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke and more.
Boost your immune system – Studies show that cocoa powder can also improve your immune system, helping you fight off infection, disease and other adverse health conditions. In some people, it can even be used to treat cancer.
Detox the body – Cocoa powder has a high fiber contact, which helps keep your digestive system properly process and remove waste and toxins from your body. Cocoa powder is also full of flavonoids, natural antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals and other harmful substances.
Decrease inflammation – A new study by Louisiana State University shows that cocoa powder can actually lead to an anti-inflammatory response – particularly in the digestive tract. Cutting down on inflammation in this area reduces bloating and improves overall bodily function.
Improve nails and hair – Because of its high sulfur content, cocoa powder can actually improve your hair and nails, too. It can help them grow faster and improve their overall strength and durability in the long run.
Better your mood – Raw cocoa powder is also known to be a natural mood enhancer. It contains both anandamide and phenylethylamine, both of which induce euphoria, act as an aphrodisiac and boost overall mood.
On top of all this, cocoa powder can also relieve constipation, slow signs of aging and provide stress relief. And who doesn’t want benefits like that?
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