Q. I understand that no one would want to eat or drink dark cocoa. It is bitter and dry.
I add about I/2 teaspoon of Hershey’s natural unsweetened cocoa to my half-cup of coffee every morning. Milk and a touch of agave nectar make it even more palatable. This tastes like mocha and offers chocolate benefits without extra sugar or fat.
A. Cocoa flavonoids found in dark cocoa can reduce inflammation, improve the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol and lower blood pressure. They also make blood platelets less likely to clump together and form a blood clot, perhaps lowering the risk of a heart attack.
Although all these benefits have been established in studies, many health experts worry that people will overdose on candy. Your solution is a good way to get cocoa flavonoids.
To learn more about the practical health benefits of chocolate and many other foods such as almonds, blueberries, cinnamon, cherries, coffee and ginger you may want to consult The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.
Another option to get the benefits of cocoa flavonoids without the risks would be a product such as CocoaVia. This dietary supplement offers a standardized quantity of flavonoids (250 mg) in a range of flavors.
