Brain supplements are something everyone’s referring to lately. But by “brain supplement”, we don’t necessarily mean a pill, or some concoction that originates out of a factory. Foods are often brain supplements. So can naturally sourced substances. In this case, we’re preaching about cacao beans–you know, what chocolate is created out of.
Chocolate? Did anyone say chocolate?
Well yes!…and on the other hand No!
When talking about the incredible health outcomes 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 among the world’s oldest foods. It provides everything! It affects mood. It offers 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.
The simple truth is, most chocolate in candy bars only contains a bit of cacao, especially when you compare the levels 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 at the very least 75% cacao.
The one thing you can do to achieve the real benefits you want is to mix 100% organic cocoa powder with a small amount of espresso and unsweetened soy milk and cinnamon. This will make a delicious drink, that is as old as the Aztecs. It’s brimming with brain healthy “stuff”, with no milk fats and sugars.
The cocoa bean is one of the oldest foods on the globe. 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 well-liked 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 a significant 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 full of cocoa bring about less cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Lee Cole is a avid health and exercise enthusiast. Read this post to find out more about brain supplements.