by Zorana Jagodić |
Cocoa - food of the gods |
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According to Aztec king Montezuma, this beverage was reserved for warriors and social elite and it also had sacral and ceremonial application.
Swedish botanist Linne gave this plant name Theobroma Cacao L, where Theobroma means “food of the gods".
Cacao grows on trees that are on average 4-8 meters high and it is a part of the evergreen family of Sterculiaceae.
The origins of this plant are in tropical areas of Southern America and its fruit is mostly used for making cocoa powder and chocolate.
Cocoa tree fruit has an egg-like shape; it is 30 cm long and weights up to 500 grams. Inside the fruit we find white meat containing 20-60 seeds. Pulp is used for making juices and the fruit is used for making cocoa powder and butter, but the whole fruit is edible.
Each seed contains up to 50% fat which is used for making butter. Cocoa also contains theobromine, ingredient similar to caffeine.
In its wild form, cocoa can be found only at the foothills of Andes on the height of 200-400 meters above sea level, in Amazon area and near Orinoco River.
First European encounter with cocoa was by Christopher Columbus who dubbed cocoa “weirdly-looking hazelnuts”. Cocoa came to Europe for the first time in a form of beverage in 1519.
Health benefits of cocoa
Raw cocoa in grains, pieces or powder is considered, according to many nutritive properties, as one of the most nutritive food items in the world. Due to that, this food item is labeled as superfood.
Cocoa:
- protects organism from the influence of free radicals
- reduces stress and depression
- protects against heart and blood vessel diseases
- protects against many types of cancer
- is a great source of iron
- regulates sugar and cholesterol levels
- enhances memory and concentration
- reduces the risk of heart attack
- helps blood pressure regulation
Cocoa contains over 300 chemical compounds with positive effects of health.
In its content, cacao is extremely rich in antioxidants responsible for organism's health.
Antioxidants protect our organism against free radicals which are the leading cause of premature aging.
Cocoa contains the highest amount of antioxidants in comparison to any other ingredient in the world. These antioxidants include polyphenol, catechin and epicatechin.
Compared by weight, cocoa has more antioxidants than red wine, blueberries, acai berries, eglantine and goji berries COMBINED!
Cocoa, due to its content rich in minerals (magnesium especially), helps fighting stress.
Magnesium is responsible for over 300 processes in human organism – from digestion to heart rate and brain functions.
In its content, cacao contains catechin and polyphenol, which are believed to protect against heart disease, cancer and many other diseases.
Furthermore, cocoa is an excellent source of iron, chrome, manganese, zinc and vitamin C. In 28 grams of cocoa you will find as much as 314% of recommended daily allowances of iron.
According to results or a study conducted at Australian international Diabetes Institute, diabetics that regularly consume cocoa have significantly better blood pressure and reduced risk of heart diseases and heart attack.
This miraculous plant also contains PEA (phenethylamine). It is a set of compounds produced by our organism when we are in love, so it is no wonder so many people substitute love with chocolate, whose main ingredient is cocoa.
Cocoa contains serotonin and dopamine, luck hormones. Cocoa grain is rich in omega-6 fatty acids that feed our brain and help overall organism functions.
Because of everything stated above, you should add cocoa into your daily diet.
But, do not be fooled that by eating chocolate (no matter how dark it is) you will introduce sufficient amounts of healthy cocoa into your organism. Unfortunately, in a series of processes during chocolate production, cocoa is heated and it loses its nutritive and healing properties.
Purchase organic, clean cocoa and enjoy its benefits.
Let the food of gods also be your food!
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