Health Benefits of Cocoa Bean
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The research that has been done to find what the nutrient rich cacao bean can offer the body is adding up and two things that the data shows are that cocoa can help in regulating the heartbeat and blood pressure. While it might not stop the doctor from prescribing medication, there are studies that have been done that show amazing results, like a two week study that was done by the UCSF School of Nursing and the American Cocoa Research Institute.
The two week study headed by UCSF School of Nursing professor of physiological nursing, Mary Engler, PhD, RN showed the benefits of cocoa in the dilation of blood vessels without raising LDL cholesterol, inhibiting aggregation of blood platelets and decreasing the body's inflammatory immune response. Elevated blood levels of epicatechin prompted active substances that increase blood flow, this is good for the heart.
In another study that was done of elderly Dutch men that eat or drink cocoa showed data of lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of death that appeared in a February 27 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. One of the reasons is believed that the reason is the flavan-3-oils, which have been linked with lower blood pressure previously. This study done by Brian Buijsse, M. Sc. Of the National Institute for Public Health and Enviornment , Bilthoven, Netherlands studied 470 Dutch men ages 65 to 84 years old. The study spanned over 15 years and the data showed that men who were consuming cocoa regularly had lower blood pressure and during this time 314 men died, and those who consumed cocoa reglurly were half as likely to die from cardiovascular disease.
All of the studies that have been done and are currently being done with cacao, cocoa and dark chocolate are pointing to the same conclusion, eating cacao on a regular basis is good for the body and the brain. There are natural nutrients that scientists, nutritionists and researchers have found that give proof to the idea that this food is able to increase focus and alertness.
Phenyl ethylamine (PEA) is one of the natural compounds in cacao and is an adrenal related chemical that is also created in the brain, it is directly related to focus and alertness. One of the studies that was conducted was done at Cornell University and the data the researchers collected showed participants that consumed dark chocolate every day had increased awareness and mental focus. There were also participants that were given placebos, and they showed no marked increase in either. |
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Author Resource:-
To learn about about the health benefits of cacao and sustainable cocoa farming, visit http://www.cocoafamily.orgcirtex hosting voucher
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By :
Matthew McClifford
Submitted
2012-04-21 03:47:48 |
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