Cocoa is said to have been first known in the 16th century. And was first used by the Mayan civilization in Central America. It was then brought to Europe by Spanish sailors, where it became very popular today.
Answering the question: Are cocoa and chocolate the same or different?
For those who are wondering about cocoas and chocolate, in fact. Both come from the same cacao tree, but differ in the fermentation, drying, and processing processes.
The method of making cocoa is to extract the cocoas fat from the pulp and then grind the pulp finely to become natural cocoa powder with only 10-24 percent fat. Therefore, cocoas is considered healthy because it contains relatively little fat.
It is different from chocolate that is made from liquid cocoas without going through the process of separating fat. Milk and sugar are added to make it taste sweeter, http://ufabet999.app more fragrant and easier to eat.
Benefits of Cocoa
Helps reduce blood pressure
Studies have shown that islanders in Central America who regularly drink cocoa have lower blood pressure than those who do not drink cocoa or drink it in small quantities because cocoa contains flavanols that help increase nitric oxide levels in the blood, which can improve blood vessel function and reduce blood pressure.
Reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke
Increasing blood nitric oxide levels can help dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cocoa also helps reduce LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), prevents blood clots similar to aspirin, lowers blood sugar levels, and reduces inflammation, all of which are linked to a reduced risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke.
Reduce the risk of depression
Flavonols in cocoa help convert tryptophan, an essential amino acid that the body makes, into serotonin, or what we call the happy substance. This substance is very important for the neurotransmitter system and also helps with mood.
If the body has a balanced level of serotonin, it will make us happier. It also helps reduce stress, reduce migraine pain, and reduce depression.
Reduce asthma symptoms
Cocoa contains substances called theobromine and theophylline, which have the property of helping the lungs expand, allowing for deeper breathing, and also reducing inflammation.
In addition, theophylline is also effective in treating and preventing abnormal breathing and difficulty breathing caused by chronic lung disease.