The benefits and harms of cocoa

What is the difference between cocoa beans and coffee beans

Coffee and cocoa are really very similar drinks. Both have invigorating properties due to the content of a chemical substance in them - caffeine. It dilates blood vessels and increases blood pressure, thereby enhancing blood circulation in the tissues and brain. However, cocoa affects the body more gently, since, in addition to caffeine, it contains theobromine, a substance with similar properties. Therefore, even people with neurological and cardiovascular diseases can afford to enjoy cocoa.

Coffee and cocoa are similar in taste, and the one and the other drink is dark brown. However, their composition is completely different. Coffee is ground coffee beans, and cocoa is ground cocoa beans. These are the fruits of evergreens, often even growing on the same territory.

Unlike coffee beans, cocoa beans contain a sufficient amount of fat, which makes them more nutritious and nutritious. Also in the fruits of the chocolate tree are a large amount of vitamins A, E and folic acid.

Compared to cocoa, coffee beans are small and rarely reach more than 2 centimeters in length.

Coffee bean, like a cherry, is enclosed in a berry. They do not grow singly, but in clusters of 30-50 pieces, have different colors - from burgundy brown to light green.

Composition and calorie content

Cocoa beans are a very tasty healthy product. They contain 530 kcal - the figure is so large mainly due to the oil content in cocoa nuts. As much as 53 g per 100 g of beans! However, you should not worry about the figure - after all, these are mostly unsaturated fatty acids that have antioxidant and anti-aging effects.

By the way, in cocoa powder, which is used to make drinks, the nutritional value is much lower due to degreasing during fermentation.

Cocoa fruits have a large amount of protein - about 13 g per 100 g, which is very important for people who monitor their health. Carbohydrates in beans are 10 g per 100 g, but most of them are vitamins and sugars of natural origin, which nourish tissues, but do not contribute to weight gain.

Cocoa beans contain many vitamins. First of all, these are A and E, promoting cell regeneration, normalizing the state of blood vessels. In large quantities, vitamin K is also part of the fruits of the chocolate tree, which regulates blood coagulation, blood formation and metabolism. Folic acid contained in cocoa normalizes the nervous system and improves immunity.

Of the trace elements in the composition of cocoa beans include phosphorus and calcium, which improve the condition of bones and teeth. In ancient times, people noticed this and used ground cocoa as a tooth powder. The product also contains iron, zinc and magnesium, which improve vascular contraction and the general condition of the circulatory system of the body. And selenium and copper contribute to a quick and trouble-free conception and generally have a beneficial effect on the female reproductive system.

The benefits of cocoa beans

For women
Every woman wants to be beautiful and charming. It is important to have a beautiful and delicate skin. Cocoa butter, extracted from beans, perfectly stimulates cell regeneration and moisturizes the skin. It easily replaces hand and face cream. And, of course, this product is hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly.

Cocoa in the morning contributes to a healthy complexion, thanks to it, the tan lies more evenly and quickly. Of course, do not be too zealous with the drink, because it helps to increase pressure.

By the way, as a rule, cocoa is consumed along with milk and sugar. This is not entirely correct. Indeed, beans contain a rather large amount of carbohydrates and fats. Traditionally, this drink is consumed with hot pepper and brewed with hot water. But, if the habitual taste cannot be discarded, it is better to replace cow's milk with oat or almond milk, and sugar with stevia or honey.

For men
Zinc in the fruits of the chocolate tree has a positive effect on the male reproductive system. It stimulates the production of the hormone testosterone, thereby enhancing the potency and vitality of sperm. It is recommended that future fathers consume a cup of cocoa daily for a safe conception.

Cocoa will help professional athletes. It contains a large amount of protein and promotes the growth of muscle tissue, and caffeine will give strength. Unlike coffee, cocoa does not increase the pulse, and the carbohydrates of natural origin contained in the drink will give strength for training.

During pregnancy
There is a known prejudice that pregnant women are forbidden to drink cocoa. However, this is not quite true. Cocoa is no worse than black tea for mom. The natural fruits of the chocolate tree contribute to the normal formation of the neural tube in the fetus, as well as the heart and internal organs. An invigorating drink also contains magnesium - a trace element that normalizes the tone of the uterus and prevents miscarriage. And most importantly - cocoa miraculously raises the mood of a pregnant woman, and a happy mother is the main condition for the health of the baby!

Of course, everything needs to know the measure. Drinking more than 1 cup of cocoa per day is not recommended. Also, the drink is contraindicated in expectant mothers with edema and high blood pressure.

When breastfeeding
Cocoa is a rather allergenic product, so it should not be consumed the first 4-6 weeks after the birth of the baby. After that, you can try to drink half a cup of the drink and look at the child’s reaction throughout the day. If everything is in order, the young mother is allowed to drink 1-2 cups of cocoa per day. It is advisable to do this in the morning until 12 noon, so that the invigorating components of cocoa do not prevent the baby from falling asleep. If the baby has a rash or stool is broken - it is better to exclude the drink for at least 1 month.

In order not to cause an allergy in the child, the main thing is to drink natural, not instant cocoa. The fact is that when grinding, various impurities often negatively affect the body. Sometimes they are the cause of allergic reactions in humans.

For weight loss
For a girl who wants to lose weight, cocoa is the number one product. Firstly, it stimulates the metabolism and thereby enhances the burning of calories, secondly, it gives strength for training and improves the cardiovascular system, thirdly, it reduces appetite and fights off cravings for fat and sweets. With proper use with cocoa beans, you can lose up to 5 kilograms per month.

Cocoa-based diet: 100 g of home-made chocolate without sugar (with stevia or another sweetener), 1 apple, cocoa with oat milk - 2 cups, an unlimited amount of water are allowed per day. You can adhere to this diet for up to 5 days. During this period, you can lose up to 8 kilograms.

By the way, cocoa butter helps eliminate cellulite. To do this, apply it to problem areas with massage movements every evening

Cocoa Bean Oil: Properties and Applications

Cocoa bean oil is one of the most important products in the beauty industry and traditional medicine. Due to the content of a large number of vitamins A, E and K, as well as fatty acids, it has wonderful properties in the restoration of the skin. Regular use of this product promotes the healing of scars, scars, burns, traces of acne.

In addition, cocoa butter helps soften corns, calluses and hard formations on the skin - the heels will become like in a baby after only 5 applications of a miracle remedy. To do this, it is advisable to apply it overnight and put on over cotton socks.

Today, both women and men face the problem of baldness. Hair loss has a terrible effect on the appearance and self-esteem of a person. Cocoa butter can defeat hair loss and improve the density of hair. It is necessary to apply it every 2-3 days at night, and in the morning rinse with shampoo. This tool is suitable for all types of hair.

To avoid gaps during the birth of a child, many gynecologists recommend lubricating the perineum with cocoa butter from 32 weeks of gestation. This tool is absolutely safe for both the mother and the unborn child.

Harm and contraindications

Cocoa very often comes from undeveloped countries, where they are collected and manufactured in unsanitary conditions. To be sure of the quality of the product, it is better to purchase whole cocoa beans, not powder. Before use, it is advisable to soak them in water with soda. This will surely wash away all the dirt and also help cleanse the fruit.

It is contraindicated to use cocoa beans for allergies to this product, hypertension in the acute stage, mental illness (paranoia and schizophrenia), severe infections (diphtheria, typhoid, etc.), parasites in the gastrointestinal tract, hyper- and hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, as well as children under the age of 2 years.

Harmful properties of cocoa due to the presence of caffeine part of cocoa a small amount of caffeine (about 0.2%). However, it can not be ignored, especially when the beverage is consumed by children. Of caffeine there are many conflicting data. Because it does not prove its unconditional use, given the content of caffeine, should be careful to give cocoa the children and those who do not consume caffeine. Malicious processing beans the Countries growing cocoa beans are known for poor sanitation, which affects the products containing cocoa. Besides the beans live cockroaches that are hard to get rid of. The cultivation of large plantations of cocoa in tropical countries is accompanied by handling of fertilizers and pesticides in large quantities. Cocoa is the most intensively treated with pesticides crop in the world. In the industrial production of cocoa beans are subjected to radiological treatment to remove pests. Is cocoa used for the production of 99% of chocolate in the world. It is difficult to overestimate the harm from radiation and chemicals to health. Manufacturers, of course, claim that their cocoa is thoroughly cleaned and processed. However, in practical life it is difficult to determine the chocolate or cocoa powder made from peeled cocoa beans in compliance with all standards.