It is beneficial for blood vessel health and brain function, but be careful because it contains high amounts of oxalic acid, which is an ingredient in urinary stones.
Posted on 03.01.2024 at 07:00 Views 46 Posted on 03.01.2024 at 07:00 Modified 2024.01.02 21:03 Views 46
The flavanols in cocoa increase the level of nitric oxide in the blood, improving blood flow, helping to regulate blood pressure and preventing the formation of blood clots. [사진= 게티이미지뱅크]’Tis the season when you think of a warm, sweet cup of cocoa. Cocoa, especially appreciated in winter because it melts the body and mind frozen by the cold, is obtained by eliminating the fat from the cocoa fruit and pulverizing it. Cocoa is rich in flavanol, a type of flavonoid, a plant-based antioxidant and provides various health benefits.
Improves brain function and breaks down body fat
The flavanols in cocoa increase the level of nitric oxide in the blood, improving blood flow, helping to regulate blood pressure and preventing the formation of blood clots. Additionally, several studies have shown that higher levels of nitric oxide can improve brain function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This is because the blood vessels are relaxed and blood is supplied to the brain.
In fact, a two-week study of 34 older adults found that drinking flavanol-rich cocoa increased blood flow to the brain by 8 percent after one week and 10 percent after two weeks. Further research has shown that daily intake of cocoa flavanols improves mental performance regardless of the presence or absence of mental disorders.
Additionally, cocoa reduces LDL cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol, decreasing the risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke. It is also known to have an excellent effect on the breakdown of body fat because it transforms white fat, which stores energy in the body and causes obesity, into brown fat, which burns energy and prevents obesity.
High oxalic acid content can cause urinary stones
Cocoa is not only good for your health. The calories in a cup of cocoa are around 120 kcal, so if you drink too much weight gain is inevitable. Additionally, one cup of cocoa contains 2 to 50 mg of caffeine, so growing children or those sensitive to caffeine should be careful.
Unexpectedly, cocoa can cause urinary stones. This is because cocoa contains a lot of oxalic acid, an ingredient in urinary stones. Foods rich in oxalic acid, including cocoa, include nuts (peanuts, almonds), coffee, black tea, beer, and spinach, which increase the chance of developing stones if consumed in excess over a long period of time.
Meanwhile, cocoa mix products commonly sold on the market contain additives such as non-dairy cream, large amounts of sugar and spices, which can obscure the benefits of cocoa. Therefore, to drink cocoa in a healthier way, it is better to buy pure cocoa powder and mix it with low-fat milk or water.
Journalist Lee Ji-won
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2024-01-02 22:01:18
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