Super food for a long and healthy life.Cocoa.

Super food

To repeat, this is a food rich in phytonutrients in much larger quantities than the usual food and therefore it is "super". ..

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Regular consumption of super food,
along with exercising,
weights control,
by reducing stress and
healthy sleep habits,
can contribute to a long and healthy life.

Today I will present the food of the gods

Cocoa

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Cocoa has long been considered an exquisite and precious food.

In the era of Astec this drink was reserved only for warriors and social elite, and had sacred and ceremonial characteristics.

Swedish botanist Linne this plant gave the name Theobroma cacao L. where "Theobroma" means "the food of the gods".
Cocoa grows on trees of an average height of 4 to 8 meters and belongs in to the evergreen plants of the family Sterculiaceae.

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This plant originates from tropical regions of South America, and the fruit is most commonly used for making cocoa powder and chocolate.
Cocoa fruit is ovate shaped, up to 30 cm in length and weighs up to 500 grams.
In the white meat there are 20 to 60 seeds.

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Pulp is used for making juices,
while cocoa powder and cocoa butter obtained from fruit.
The whole fruit is edible.

Each seed contains up to 50% fat from which cocoa butter is made.
The cocoa also contains theobromine, an ingredient very similar to caffeine.
Cocoa in the wild form today can only be found at the foot of the Andes, at a height of 200 to 400 meters, in the Amazone area and near the Orinoco River.

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Christopher Columbo, is cocoa calls "hazelnuts of wondrous looks".

Warning

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Most cocoa and commercial chocolates are produced according to the "Dutch method"
at a temperature of 150 ° C, with the aid of a solvent.
This process destroys most antioxidants and nutrients in cocoa.
The subject of our interest is the raw cocoa powder or grain,
from certified organic farming.
Such cocoa was not subjected to a temperature of more than 40 ° C, which is why all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are preserved.

Crude cocoa is among the best antioxidant sources in the world.
At the ORAC scale (the antioxidant potency is measured by ORAC units), cocoa has 95,500 points.

The strongest antioxidants in the world

Interestingly

Cocoa has 14 times more antioxidant than red wine and 21 times more than green tea.

Missing you iron in the body?

It's good to know that a small piece of 28 grams of cocoa contains as much as 314% of RDA iron!!!

Cocoa also contains PEA (phenylethylamine),
and it is about the set of compounds that our organism excreted when we are in love,
so it's no surprise that sometimes we need love replace with chocolate.
Cocoa powder can also be used as an aphrodisiac and for to increase mood and relaxation.

Raw cocoa, in grain, in pieces or in powder, is considered to be one of most nutritent in the world for its nutritional properties.

Cocoa and Health

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• protects the organism from the influence of free radicals
• reduces stress and depression
• protects heart and blood vessels
• protects against many types of cancer
• an excellent source of iron
• regulates the level of sugar and cholesterol
• encourages better memory and concentration
• reduces the risk of heart attack
• helps regulate blood pressure

Because of its rich mineral content (especially magnesium), cocoa helps to fight against stress.
Magnesium is responsible for more than 300 processes in the body - from digestion to heart and brain function.
Because of the magnesium content it helps lowering blood pressure.

Cocoa abounds in omega-6 fatty acids that feed the brain and help the body's overall health.
Cocoa powder and cocoa cereals are the source of essential amino acids.
Cocoa contains more than 300 different compounds.

For the raise mood contains good luck hormones like serotonin, dopamine, phenylethylamine.

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Cocoa powder and grain

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Cocoa powder is use to prepare chocolate, biscuits, desserts.

Freshly ground cocoa grains have a slightly bitter taste, so they are the perfect blend with sweet or dry fruit, nuts or seeds, flakes, yogurt, frape.

Cocoa butter

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Cocoa butter is one of the most stable natural fat that contains unsaturated fatty acids.Cocoa abounds in omega-6 fatty acids that feed the brain and help the body's overall health.
Because of its creamy structure and rich flavor, cocoa butter is used as an ingredient in chocolate delicacies, cakes, natural desserts, as well as in skin care products (creams and soaps).

Conclusion

There is no dilemma. It should be included in the diet ...

What do you think you?

until next time, big greeting