How to Use Cocoa to Prevent Heart Disease and Cancer

Raw cocoa is considered as one of the best superfood that someone can eat. Besides he awesome taste this remedy contains health benefits that can help you treat different illnesses such as type-2 diabetes, heart diseases, and cancer. You may also use it as addition to your favorite smoothie in order to add better flavor, but most importantly to fight different health conditions.

The cocoa beans originate from South America and it has been used since ancient times of the Maya and Aztecs. Since then these beans have been used for medical purposes due to the great properties it contains. Many people confuse the difference between cocoa and cacao, so here are some more details in regards to this.

In fact, the explanation to the difference is still not conclusive but some sources claim that Olmec people have introduced the word cacao for the first time. The word cocoa is believed to originate from a spelling mistake that was never corrected because it was easier for pronunciation.

According to other sources the word cacao refers to the bean which comes from the tree, and the word cocoa is the name of the bean that is processed. Just for clarification we are using the first meaning so when you see cocoa powder mentioned bellow you should know we are referring to the processed ground cocoa beans.

Here are some of the health benefits of raw cocoa

Raw cocoa beans contain antioxidants that help you improve the overall health. It contains much more antioxidants than green tea, berries or any other fruit or vegetable. These antioxidants are great for reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Also these beans act as great protective agent against cardiovascular diseases and help you reduce high blood pressure. On the other hand, the flavonoids that cocoa beans contain can help you prevent type-2 diabetes.

Cocoa beans are very rare ingredient that contains high level of neurotransmitters which improve the mood. The main neurotransmitters found in it are serotonin and dopamine. They are also great for boosting the visual memory and increase the verbal memory. Cocoa also contain lots of fibers and proteins, as well as amino acids.

Its properties can help you reduce the inflammation, cholesterol, blood clotting, but also improve the blood circulation.

Here is how to use cocoa as part of your daily nutrition:

Cocoa has bitter taste, so when it is used for production of chocolate, sugar must be added. When you decide to buy dark chocolate you should purchase one with 70% cocoa content.

It is best to try to use the raw cocoa as part of your diet. You should add 1-2 teaspoons of raw cocoa in your favorite smoothie, granola, cereal, or simply prepare how milk and cocoa.
We are going to give you some suggestions on smoothies in which you can incorporate raw cocoa:

Chocolate orange smoothie

Ingredients:
1. Orange – 4 (squeezed)
2. Cocoa powder – 2 teaspoons
3. Banana – 2
4. Mango – 1

You should blend all ingredients and consume the smoothie fresh. Feel free to add some water if you want to thin the smoothie.

Chocolate coconut smoothie

Ingredients:
1. Banana – 1
2. Pitted dates – 2
3. Lime – 1
4. Orange – 2
5. Coconut and all its water – ½
6. Cocoa powder – 2 teaspoons

Again, you should blend all ingredients and strain the mixture after you are done with blending. Consume it fresh.

Chocolate cherry green smoothie

Ingredients:
1. Banana – 1
2. Cherries – 1 cup
3. Spinach – 2 cups
4. Cocoa water – 2 teaspoons
5. Water – 1 cup

Blend all ingredients and consume it fresh.

Chocolate peach green smoothie

Ingredients:
1. Peach – 1
2. Fresh pineapple – 1 cup
3. Cocoa powder – 2 teaspoons
4. Frozen blueberries – ½ cup
5. Spinach – 2 cups
6. Water – 1 cup

First you should blend the soft fruits and add the water. Afterwards add the greens in the blender. Blend for at least 30 seconds on high. You should get creamy smoothie and consume it fresh.

Chocolate Mango smoothie

Ingredients:
1. Mango – 1
2. Red grapes – 1 cup
3. Cocoa powder – 2 teaspoons
4. Frozen blueberries – ½ cup
5. Spinach – 2 cups
6. Dried goji berries – 1/3 cup
7. Water – 1 cup

First you should add the soft fruit and the water into the blender. Afterwards add the remaining ingredients. Blend it for 30 seconds and consume it fresh.

source http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com