One Cup a Day: The Guideline for this Beverage

Cocoa, processed from the cacao plant, is a popular beverage during the cold winter months, much like a warm cup of coffee. While a daily cup of cocoa can be beneficial for your health, consuming more than that can send unhealthy signals to your body. Let’s explore the benefits of cocoa and how to consume it healthily.

 

The Cacao Fruit: One of the Gifts from the Gods

 

The cacao fruit, the main ingredient in cocoa, was used by ancient Mexicans as a beverage and medicine. Known as the ‘food of the gods,’ it is believed that Christopher Columbus was the first to discover it. By the mid-17th century, the cacao fruit had become a popular food across Europe.

 

Check the Sugar and Sodium Content Before Drinking Cocoa

 

The average sugar content in a cup of cocoa sold at coffee shops is about 31g, which is approximately 60% of the World Health Organization’s recommended daily sugar intake of 50g. This means that drinking two cups will exceed your daily recommended intake, especially if you also consume pastries or whipped cream with it. The caloric content is also high, with one cup of cocoa containing between 100-150 calories. Therefore, it is essential to check the sugar and sodium content before consuming cocoa.

 

Polyphenols in Cocoa are Key

 

While cocoa is often considered unhealthy due to its sweetness, it also has its benefits. The polyphenols in cocoa are twice as much as in red wine and three times as much as in green tea, making it effective in preventing cancer. This led to a cocoa shortage at one point. Additionally, these polyphenols are effective in improving blood circulation and reducing blood pressure.

 

Cocoa is Also a Great Diet Food

 

Cocoa is also an excellent diet food. It contains more than twice the dietary fiber of tomatoes, effectively removing waste from the intestines and excreting toxins, and has a fat accumulation suppression effect. Plus, it makes you feel full! It also stimulates the secretion of endorphins, so it can make you feel better when you’re tired or depressed.

 

A Daily Cup Can Be Beneficial

 

Drinking just one cup of cocoa a day can have the power to prevent cancer. When purchasing cocoa, check the ingredients list to ensure it contains at least 85% cocoa and includes epicatechin, polyphenols, and lignin. Drinking cocoa when you’re craving sugar during a diet, or when you’re hungry late at night, can help curb your appetite without causing weight gain – a win-win situation.

 

The Surprisingly Powerful Benefits of Cocoa

 

Cocoa reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke by lowering the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as ‘bad cholesterol,’ and increasing the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or ‘good cholesterol,’ thereby improving circulation and reducing inflammation. It is also known to enhance brain function, improve blood flow to the brain, and have a positive impact on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, and dementia. It also has outstanding anti-inflammatory effects, inducing the death of cancer cells and demonstrating excellent capabilities in cancer prevention and treatment.

 

It Can Also Cause Kidney Stones

 

On the other hand, cocoa can also cause kidney stones. Cocoa contains a high amount of oxalates, and frequent consumption can increase the risk of kidney stones. To prevent this, it is recommended to consume fruits rich in citric acid, like lemons, which bind with calcium oxalate and excrete it through urine, reducing the risk of kidney stones.

 

Try Adding Cocoa Powder to Your Coffee

 

Cafe mocha is a popular coffee menu item that combines coffee and cocoa powder for a richer flavor. Especially for chocolate lovers, this is a taste that anyone can enjoy. If you want to add a chocolatey flavor to your coffee, choose a cocoa powder without sweetness or reduced sweetness and mix in about a spoonful.

 

Recommended Honey Combo for Drinking Cocoa

 

When drinking cocoa dissolved in milk or water, adding a spoonful of honey can enhance its benefits. Honey is rich in glucose and fructose, accounting for 80% of its composition, and is packed with vitamins and minerals. It contains a cough-suppressing ingredient that helps alleviate cough symptoms and frequency. Although it may seem like an unlikely combination, mixing in onion juice can increase its anti-cancer effects. The polyphenols in cocoa and the quercetin in onions have antioxidant effects, and the allicin in onions helps expand peripheral blood vessels.

 

How to Drink Cocoa Healthily?

 

Various types of cocoa are available on the market. Products with a strong sweet taste usually contain plant-based cream, sugar, and spices, which account for more than half of the total content, which is not good for people with adult diseases or high blood pressure. To consume cocoa more healthily, it is better to purchase pure cocoa powder rather than a mix and dissolve it in water or low-fat milk.

By. Shin Young Jeon