Cocoa powder - composition and calorie content, preparation of a drink for the treatment of diseases and body tone

Description of cocoa butter

Cocoa butter is a fat that is extracted from the seeds (fruits) of the cocoa tree . These small evergreen trees on plantations reach a height of no more than 3 meters, although in nature they grow up to 10-12 meters. The trees are native to South America, from the mouth of the Amazon River. It is difficult to find a plant that is more capricious to natural conditions, which is why its fruits are considered so valuable. The tree loves humidity and twilight, so it grows in the lower tier of forests in the shade of large trees. But at temperatures below 24 degrees, it stops bearing fruit and gradually dies.

The tree has a very beautiful crown - it is covered with large, dark, rough leaves up to 50 cm in length and 15 cm in width. Like all trees in the temperate zone, the cocoa tree does not have a pronounced flowering period. During flowering, small pink or pinkish-red flowers appear on the branches. They are small, smell unpleasant and attract many insects. But only 1 out of 200 flowers sets. The fruits ripen from six months to a year. All year round on one tree you can see both flowers and fully ripened fruits, each of which contains up to 50-60% of a valuable oily substance.

In total, the fruits contain up to 300 valuable active substances, vitamins and minerals. The bulk of the oil from the fruits of the cocoa tree consists of acids:

oleic (up to 42%);
stearic (up to 35%);
lauric and palmitic (up to 25%);
linoleic acid (2%);
arachine (up to 1%).

In addition to acids, the composition contains:

vitamins: A, PP, B1, B9;
minerals: calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper;
glycerol ethers;
phytosterols;
flavonoids;
polysaccharides;
caffeine;
tryptophan;
arginine

Quite recently, a unique element, cocochil, was discovered in cocoa juice.

The calorie content of cocoa butter is very high - 900 kcal per 100 g of product. For safety, the fresh product is additionally processed and deodorized.

What can be replaced?

Natural cocoa butter is used in chocolate making recipes. In terms of cost, such a product turns out to be expensive. Therefore, in mass production, substitute fats can be used: CBE and CBS. They are not obtained from cocoa beans, but from palm, coconut or nut oil. But these substitutes worsen the properties of chocolate, namely:

· Gives a white coating.

· Make the tiles too soft.

· Lead to rapid rancidity.

· Develop foreign impurities to the aroma.

Beneficial features

An impressive list of beneficial and medicinal properties of cocoa butter is due to the presence of a large number of useful components in it:

Oleic acid is one of the most important sources of fat in the diet. It lowers cholesterol levels, normalizes metabolism, strengthens the heart and the walls of blood vessels, and nourishes the skin with beneficial substances. It is synthesized in small quantities in the liver, but for a full life its reserves in the body must constantly be replenished.
Cocokhil promotes wound healing , skin cell division, prevents skin aging, and reduces the risk of stomach ulcers.

The flavonoid flavanol helps cope with fatigue, dilate blood vessels and improve brain function.

Due to its physicochemical properties, cocoa butter has the following effects:

regenerating;
cardiotonic;
wound healing;
antibacterial;
hemostatic;
expectorant;
enveloping;
sputum thinner;
mild laxative;
choleretic;
Vascular cleansing.

All these healing properties apply only to a clean, not expired product that has been properly stored.

Benefits for the skin

Drinking the drink has a beneficial effect on the skin. It contains plant phenols procyanidins, which rejuvenate the skin and smooth out fine wrinkles. This is due to the fact that they bind collagen molecules, which maintains skin elasticity.

In addition, the drink contains melanin, which protects the skin from the negative effects of sunlight. This not only helps reduce the rate of skin aging, but also prevents the development of cancer such as melanoma.

Use in folk medicine

In Ukraine and Russia, the medicinal properties of cocoa butter are not recognized by official medicine. But in many countries in Europe and Asia, products obtained by pressing cocoa beans are officially used. This natural oily component is the basis for painkillers and laxative suppositories, many medicinal ointments and some antiseptics.

Regular but moderate consumption of cocoa butter internally will help:

prevent the development of a heart attack or stroke , since the product normalizes the functions of blood platelets - platelets, preventing them from sticking together and forming blood clots;

serve as a prevention of atherosclerosis;
increase sexual desire in women , since tryptophan in the composition is a natural aphrodisiac;

cure sore throat and sore throat;
stimulate the immune system due to its antioxidant content.

Cocoa butter also has healing properties when used externally . It relieves dry skin, heals small wounds, heals burn wounds, and gets rid of rashes. In gynecology, they are recommended to lubricate the nipples to soften and heal during breastfeeding. Proctologists advise doing enemas with cocoa butter and calendula to heal cracks or inserting a piece into the anus in order to soften emptying.

The medicinal properties of cocoa butter have found application in relieving dry coughs, sore throats and treating bronchitis in young children . This healing component is added to warm milk and taken orally.

Adults can simply suck on a pea-sized piece of butter to relieve a sore throat. They are also recommended to lubricate their sinuses for prevention when going outside during the cold season. Viburnum tea also helps with painful coughs, laryngitis and colds.

Cocoa butter is used for rubbing against colds . To do this, you need to break off a piece, hold it in your palms until soft, rub your chest and back, and put on a thick T-shirt made of natural fabric.

It is recommended to take the oil once before blind probing - cleaning the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts.

Benefits for the liver

Studies by Spanish scientists have confirmed the beneficial effects of cocoa on the liver in cirrhosis and fibrosis. The control groups included people with cirrhosis and liver fibrosis. The first control group consumed white chocolate, the second - dark chocolate containing cocoa. As a result, an improvement in the condition of the liver was noticed in the subjects included in the second group.

Consumption of cocoa leads to a decrease in surges in portal pressure (pressure in the liver). For patients with cirrhosis and fibrosis of the liver, these surges are dangerous, because they can cause rupture of the vessel. Indeed, with cirrhosis and fibrosis, the pressure in these vessels is already quite high, because blood cannot pass freely through the liver. It is assumed that this effect on the liver is associated with the antispasmodic relaxing effect of the vitamin-active substances flavonols (25 mg in 1 cup) that are part of cocoa.

Against cough

Cocoa butter is often used to treat coughs. It is used for chest massage, it is used to lubricate the nostrils for infectious diseases, and the oil is added to the solution for inhalation. It is advisable to start treatment as early as possible to maximize the effect. If the cough is advanced, this remedy is used as an additional therapy to that already prescribed by the doctor.

You can take the oil internally, in which case it is dissolved in milk or hot chocolate. 1-2 teaspoons per glass of liquid is enough. If you are not allergic to honey, you can add ½ teaspoon of beekeeping product to the melted butter.

For anemia

For anemia, it is recommended to consume chocolate, which contains 4.4 g of iron per 100 g of product. The iron content in cocoa allows the powder to be used in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. To do this, you need to consume a dry product, so it is best absorbed by the body.

Important! Milk impairs the absorption of non-heme iron. Therefore, to treat anemia, you should not drink cocoa with milk.

Polyphenols improve cerebral circulation and brain function

Several studies have found that polyphenols, such as those found in cocoa, may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases by improving brain function and circulation.

Flavanols can cross the blood-brain barrier and participate in biochemical pathways that produce neurons and important molecules for your brain function.

In addition, flavanols affect the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes vascular muscles, improving blood circulation and blood supply to the brain.

A two-week study of 34 older adults given high-flavanol cocoa found an 8% improvement in blood flow to the brain after one week and 10% after two weeks.

Further research suggests that daily consumption of cocoa flavanols may improve mental performance in people with and without mental disorders

These studies point to the positive effects of cocoa on brain health and possible benefits in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, more research is needed.

Conclusion:
The flavanols in cocoa may support neuron production, brain function, improve blood circulation, and support brain tissue. They may play a role in preventing age-related brain degeneration such as Alzheimer's disease, but more research is needed.

May reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke

In addition to lowering blood pressure, cocoa appears to have other properties that may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Cocoa enriched with flavanols improves nitric oxide levels in the blood, which relaxes and dilates your arteries and blood vessels, and improves blood flow. Moreover, cocoa has been found to reduce levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol, similar to aspirin, thins the blood, and also improves levels blood sugar and reduces inflammation These properties were associated with a reduced risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke A review of nine studies looking at 157,809 people found that higher levels of chocolate consumption were associated with a significantly lower risk of heart disease, stroke and death Two Swedish studies found that chocolate consumption was associated with a lower incidence of heart failure when consuming 19–30 g of chocolate per day, but the effect was not observed when consuming higher amounts. These results suggest that frequent consumption of small amounts of cocoa-rich chocolate , may have a protective effect on your heart.

Conclusion:
Cocoa can improve blood circulation and lower cholesterol levels. Eating 19-30 grams of chocolate per day can reduce the risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

May improve mood and relieve symptoms of depression

In addition to cocoa's positive effects on age-related mental degeneration, its effects on the brain may also improve mood and relieve symptoms of depression (2).

The positive effects on mood may be due to cocoa's flavanols, the conversion of tryptophan into the natural mood stabilizer serotonin, its caffeine content, or simply the sensory pleasure of eating chocolate.

One study on the relationship between chocolate consumption and stress levels in pregnant women found that eating chocolate more frequently was associated with reduced stress and improved mood in infants

Additionally, another study found that consuming cocoa high in polyphenols improved calmness and satisfaction.

Additionally, a study in older men found that eating chocolate was associated with improved overall health and improved psychological well-being

While the results of these early studies are promising, more research is needed on cocoa's effects on mood and depression before more definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Conclusion:
Cocoa may have some positive effects on mood and symptoms of depression, reducing stress levels and improving calmness, contentment and overall psychological well-being. However, more research is needed.

Antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties may benefit teeth and skin

Several studies have examined the protective effects of cocoa against tooth decay and gum disease.

Cocoa contains many compounds that have antibacterial, antienzymatic and immunomodulatory properties, which may contribute to its effects on oral health.

Does cocoa raise or lower blood pressure?

The benefits of natural cocoa for improving heart function have been proven by various scientific studies.

Its effect on blood pressure can be considered from the point of view of moderate and correct use. A drink with the addition of heavy cream or excessive amounts of table sugar is unlikely to be beneficial for hypertensive or hypotensive patients. In this case, it may cause harm to health.

Natural products with a minimal content of additional components help reduce blood pressure, this is explained by the beneficial properties of the powder to influence the nervous system and normalize blood flow processes.

May protect against cancer

Flavanols in fruits, vegetables and other foods have attracted much interest due to their protective anticancer properties, low toxicity and few adverse side effects.

Cocoa has the highest concentration of flavanols of any food by weight and can significantly help increase the amount of flavanols in your diet. Test-tube research has shown that compounds present in cocoa have antioxidant properties, protect cells from free radical damage, fight inflammation, inhibit cell growth, cause cancer cells to die and help prevent their spread

Animal studies using a cocoa-rich diet or cocoa extracts have shown positive results in reducing the risk of breast, pancreatic, prostate, liver and colon cancers, as well as leukemia

Human studies have shown that diets rich in flavanols are associated with a reduced risk of cancer. However, the evidence on cocoa is conflicting, with some studies finding no benefit and some even noting an increased risk

Small human studies examining cocoa and cancer suggest it may be a powerful antioxidant and may play a role in cancer prevention. However, much more research is needed

Conclusion:
Flavanols in cocoa have been shown to have promising anti-cancer properties in test tube and animal studies, but data from human studies are lacking.

From worms

Supporters of traditional medicine know the recipe for a drink that expels worms. This nutritional powder is used to treat diseases such as helminthic infestation. During the treatment process, you should stop eating on the first day; on the second day, start taking castor oil and cocoa powder balls.

They are easy to prepare and require the following ingredients:

Cocoa powder 2 tbsp;
Hulled pumpkin seed – 2 tbsp;
15 g sugar;
Water.

All components are crushed and mixed. Balls are formed from the resulting mass. Makes about 20 small candies.

Lifting mask with cocoa

In terms of antioxidant content, this product can compete with green tea and fruits. It is antioxidants that provide youth and beauty to the skin. Melanin, which is contained in cocoa, protects delicate women's skin from aging, nourishes and moisturizes it. The lifting effect is ensured by theobromine and theophylline contained in the powder.

To create a mask with a lifting effect, you need to mix natural powder and white clay in equal proportions. Mix the mixture thoroughly, add a tablespoon of yogurt, coconut oil and a teaspoon of lemon juice. The mask is applied to the face and washed off with warm water after 10-15 minutes. The skin is tightened, small wrinkles are smoothed out.

Cocoa bath

Cocoa benefits not only the hair, the condition of the skin of the face, but also the whole body. Chocolate baths were taken by royalty several thousand years ago. Such procedures helped strengthen the protective properties of the epidermis and increased cell regeneration processes. After chocolate baths, the skin becomes smooth and elastic. They also have a slight lifting effect.

Cocoa wrap

Chocolate wrap has become a popular procedure lately; it can be done at home, on your own. To do this, the powder is diluted in warm water until smooth, then applied in a dense layer to problem areas. Wrap in plastic wrap and leave for several hours. The procedure helps to increase blood circulation, improve the condition of blood vessels and capillaries. This leads to smoothing out damaged areas and improving appearance.

For weight loss

Regular and moderate use of the powder allows you to achieve a surge of vigor and recover faster after intense physical activity. Small portions of the drink without milk and sugar will help with regular training, which is so important for losing excess weight. Cocoa also provokes the production of endorphin and serotonin - hormones responsible for a good mood, this is important, since a low-carbohydrate diet is often accompanied by excessive irritability.

For athletes

The benefit of the powder for people involved in sports lies in the fact that a glass of the drink after an intense workout helps restore lost nutrients. This occurs due to the content of easily digestible proteins and carbohydrates. Proteins tend to help strengthen the musculoskeletal system; carbohydrates are necessary for the body to replenish the energy balance. In addition, drinking the drink helps restore the water balance lost during exercise.

Is it harmful for children?

It is beneficial for children to consume cocoa every day.

From this drink, the child receives many valuable components that have the following properties:

Polyunsaturated fats are involved in the formation of cell membranes.
For obesity, 1 cup of hot drink can satisfy hunger and replace a meal.
Theobromine, which is included in the composition, relieves dry cough, which is useful for colds.
A cup of cocoa drunk in the morning improves mental abilities, while drunk in the afternoon it restores strength and improves performance.

Children need to start consuming cocoa with small portions, observing the body’s reaction. If an allergy does not appear, you can increase the dose slightly. However, children under 5 years old can be given this drink no more than 2 times a week.

For the elderly

Cocoa is a delicious drink.

The benefits of cocoa for elderly people are as follows:

helps normalize heart function;
increased brain activity;
protection against heart attack, thrombosis and stroke;
increased blood flow, which leads to improved vision, hearing and thinking abilities.

All coffee lovers after 50 years are recommended to switch to cocoa to preserve the nervous system.

Contraindications

It seems that cocoa butter and products based on it bring only benefits, but their uncontrolled use can cause harm:

children under 3 years old;
patients with diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis;
people suffering from obesity and prolonged diarrhea.

The product will not benefit those who suffer from nervous disorders. It also interferes with the absorption of calcium, so it is not recommended for pregnant women and nursing mothers. In addition, taking it can cause allergies in the mother and develop a tendency to allergies in the fetus.

Therefore, before starting treatment, you need to consult with your pediatrician and your doctor.

Where is it sold?

You can buy cocoa butter at any eco-store. At the same time, for cooking and oral medicinal use, you need to take edible oil, and for skincare procedures, cosmetic oil.

For home cosmetics

The best cocoa butter is sold in certified natural cosmetics stores. You can choose a 100% natural product in such trusted online stores in Russia as:

· Spivak

· 4fresh

iHerb

Eco-cosmetics

Ecoville

Here you will find environmentally friendly, natural cocoa butter from domestic and foreign brands. All cosmetics are certified and have passed the necessary quality control.

For confectionery

Natural edible oil for culinary purposes is sold in such eco-confectionery shops as:

· Royal Forest.

· Chocolate maker.

· La Torta. ru

The assortment includes different types of cocoa butter for making cakes, desserts, pastries, and sweets. There are products for making and tempering chocolate.

How to select and store

Cocoa butter is a fat and, like all fats, it does not tolerate high temperatures and especially sunlight. What to look for when choosing:

color at room temperature: cream, honey yellow, white-yellow, light brown, but not white or intense yellow;
melting color (above 36 degrees): transparent;
smell: at temperatures above 18 degrees it should resemble the aroma of the fruits of the cocoa tree;
consistency: hard and brittle, even at room temperature;
Shelf life: 2 years, best stored on the refrigerator door;
container: dark glass.

Surely you know many more beneficial properties of cocoa butter and its use in cosmetology or for the treatment of diseases. Share with us in the comments, we will be grateful.

Effect on the body

A person who consumes cocoa on a regular basis always concentrates better, is collected and does not forget anything. After all, the drink improves brain function and normalizes blood pressure.

The drink is a real source of antioxidants, therefore, its regular consumption prevents the development of cancer and increases the body's immune strength.

Cocoa helps reduce the amount of caffeine you consume. The drink is recommended for use after severe infectious pathologies as an immunomodulator.

Reviews from women

Marina, 32 years old: “I bought the product after reading about its universal qualities. And I was not disappointed. It is yellowish in color, I liked the smell - pleasant, chocolate. I would recommend it for residents of the northern regions. It perfectly nourishes the skin, protects from frost and wind. Used to prevent colds. Applied to the nasal mucosa. Mom uses it around the eyes. She liked the effect of the product. The crow's feet were smoothed out, the skin of the eyelids was fresher. And I have already made 5 different face masks. I’m happy with the result, I recommend it to everyone!”

Alina, 18 years old: “I decided to try cocoa butter to treat a cough. I bought a package weighing 15 g at the nearest pharmacy. I opened it and immediately felt the pleasant smell of chocolate. The color of the product is pale yellow. I added it to warm milk according to the instructions. I'm drinking this drink for the second day. The cough has decreased, the inflammation is slowly subsiding. My cough is usually very difficult to cure, but cocoa butter started helping almost immediately.”

Svetlana, 36 years old: “Wrinkles around my eyes began to bother me. To the point that I tried not to smile in front of strangers. Expensive drugs did not give the expected effect. A friend advised me to try cocoa butter. She claimed that there was no better remedy for crow's feet. She was right. Now my eyes look fresh and youthful."