Almost everyone loves it! It is tasty, sweet, melts in the mouth and perfectly improves humor. Chocolate is one of the most popular and favourite of all sweet delicacies. However, we often have to give it up when we’re trying to get in shape or are on a healthy diet. Can chocolate be healthy? It turns out that it can!
Gods food
Chocolate is made from cocoa seeds. It’s the seeds of this plant that is responsible for all the healthy properties that we find in chocolate, which is why it has been called "the food of the gods" since 1753. Chocolate can be healthy if we avoid processing and high temperatures. We will get the most benefits from eating raw chocolate without any additives.
Raw chocolate
Cocoa is one of the best natural sources of antioxidants (polyphenols, catechin and epicatechin), magnesium, iron, chromium, manganese, zinc and copper. Dried cocoa seeds contain a very high dose of vitamin C, about 44 g per 100 g. Unfortunately, it disappears after chemical treatment and processing. Raw cocoa beans also contain omega 6 fatty acids which, after processing, cause inflammation. Cocoa beans also contain phenylethylamine (PEA), anandamide, tryptophan, serotonin, fiber and methylxanthine.
Cocoa beans support the action of the circulatory system and restore the natural emotional balance. This is one of the best products belonging to the group of superfoods. Cocoa flavonoids are beneficial in the elderly, improve brain function and cognitive function disorders. Raw chocolate has so many health properties.
Slimming effect of cocoa
Phenylethylamine (PEA) is a chemical compound found in cocoa beans. They are very sensitive to high temperatures, so eating unprocessed beans is beneficial. It turns out that thanks to PEA love and chocolate are very related because phenylethylamine is produced by a person who’s in love! Appropriate PEA concentration and magnesium dosage will reduce appetite. Because of this, cocoa works well in diets and improves the mood. Its grains also do not contain sugar and, depending on the variety, contain about 50% of very good fats.
Healthy chocolate should consist of only one ingredient - cocoa beans. All other ingredients such as sugar, dairy products, chemicals, preservatives and unhealthy supplements disturb its health benefits.
