All chocolate and cocoa products come from the cocao beans. Cocoa in it’s raw, unprocess form can be incredibly good for you.
Cocoa powder not only satisfies the senses, but also the body. Raw cocoa powder contains many key nutrients that enhance physical and mental well-being. Raw cocoa powder may also contain more antioxidants than any other foods that have been tested, including green tea and red wine.
Besides antioxidants, cocoa also contains zinc, calcium, iron, copper, sulphur and potassium. Cocoa powder also contains many components that enhance both physical and mental well-being, including alkanoids, proteins, magnesium, beta-carotine, lysine, lipase, even a neurotransmitter called dopamine.
Cocoa powder has many positive health benefits. It helps dilate blood vessels, which increases circulation and helps prevent blood clots, it helps regulate the heart rate and blood pressure, lowers cholesterol and helps prevent heart attack and stroke.
The antioxidants in cocoa powder helps protect the body from toxins produced by free radicals by not only resisting possible damage from being caused but also by repairing some of the damage already done! It also contains seratonin, which helps relieve the symptoms of PMS.
The dopamine in the cocoa provides us with a sense of well-being and makes us feel good, giving us a more positive outlook. This gives a kind of anti-depressant effect. The mood elevation you get from this helps increase alertness and focus.
Cocoa also helps to release endorphins, which produces a pleasurable feeling, kind of like a runner’s high. Cocoa even helps reduce your appetite.
Even the fats in cocoa butter are healthy fats. It contains the same heart-healthy fat that you find in olive oil, which may raise the good cholesterol.
Raw cocoa, which is unprocessed is available on-line and in health food stores.
Sources:
http://www.freewebs.com/carepoint/naturalcocoapowder.htm
http://www.emaxhealth.com/1020/cocoa-powder-health-benefits-surpass-fruit