Brain supplements are something everyone’s speaking about nowadays. But by “brain supplement”, we don’t necessarily mean a pill, or some concoction that comes out of a factory. Foods are often brain supplements. So can naturally sourced substances. So, we’re preaching about cacao beans–you know, what chocolate is made out of.
Chocolate? Did anyone say chocolate?
Well yes!…and then again No!
When referring to the incredible health results of cacao beans, we’re not supplying you with license to raid the vending machine. We actually do mean cacao beans…minimally processed! This bean is one of the world’s oldest foods. It offers everything! It affects mood. It’s got antioxidants, flavonoids, catechins, and a ton of other brain friendly chemicals. Some experts think chocolate is the single best brain enhancing food! So, now you’re telling us that a candy bar is good? No, not quite.
So you see, most chocolate in candy bars only contains a small amount of cacao, especially when you compare the quantities of sugars, milk fat, and artificial flavorings. Exactly what you need is not chocolate as in a candy bar, but unprocessed or minimally processed, non-alkalized cocoa powder. Or, if not that, then a chocolate bar that is no less than 75% cacao.
Another thing you can do to achieve the real benefits you want is to mix 100% organic cocoa powder with a bit of espresso and unsweetened soy milk and cinnamon. This will make a delicious drink, which happens to be as old as the Aztecs. It’s rich in brain healthy “stuff”, minus the milk fats and sugars.
The cocoa bean is among the oldest foods anywhere. Cocoa beans come from the Amazon and Orinoco basin in South America. Nowadays about 70% of the world’s crop of cacao beans are grown in west Africa. Chocolate drinks made from this bean were the drink loved by the Aztec royalty. When the Spanish discovered the new world, they discovered cacao beans and chocolate. In only a hundred years or so, chocolate became an important drink in Europe.
Chocolate has lots of a substance called “flavonoids” in it, specifically epicatechin. Scientists and researchers are convinced that these flavonoids are good for your heart. Several studies have discovered that diets rich in cocoa bring about less cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Lee Cole is a avid wellness and exercise enthusiast. Check out this article to learn more about brain supplements.