What if the secret to unwinding after a long day was as simple as sipping a warm cup of cocoa? Beyond its velvety taste and cosy vibes, this beloved drink is packed with natural compounds that can help melt your stress away.
Cocoa offers more than just a sweet treat, and you are about to find out how a soothing ritual is backed by science. Add a little tranquillity to your cup with cocoa.
The Aduna Superfoods publication mentions that cacao powder, which is a raw version of cocoa, made from milled unsweetened cacao beans, contains over 300 compounds including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytonutrients. It is said to also contain anandamide, a natural euphoric compound, and tryptophan, a potent natural antidepressant.
The beneficial natural compounds in cacao include flavonols, serotonin, endorphins, phenylethylamine, tryptophan, and anandamide, which have been shown to ease depression and create feelings of well-being and happiness, the publication adds. “It also contains a number of psychoactive ingredients which produce a feeling of euphoria similar to that of cannabinoid, found in cannabis and CBD, and phenylethylamine, a neuromodulator believed to be important for regulating people’s moods.”
According to the National Library of Medicine, a systematic review and meta-analysis of nine studies found that cocoa-derived products may improve mood. Medical News Today states that fat consumption may delay flow-mediated dilation recovery after mental stress, but evidence suggests increased triglycerides and C-reactive protein levels in the blood.
Therefore, cocoa flavanols, according to the mentioned site may help reduce stress recovery time by increasing nitric oxide levels. Epicatechin in cocoa has been proven to enhance nitric oxide availability, improving vascular function.
Also see: The benefits of cocoa butter for your skin
