Cocoa itself comes from the bean and in turn can be turned into cocoa powder and that can be used in chocolate or as a powdered drink. The main component in cocoa is flavonoids. The compounds that is found in plants and in plant based foods and drinks. The health benefits that are linked to the cocoa flavonoids is that the flavonoids as an antioxidants.
Antioxidants are known as free radicals that are smaller than molecules that are make up during the process.
The flavonoids act as antioxidants by cleaning up the free radicals in the cell and there fore limiting the damage they can cause.
Cocoa can also be used as a protector of the heart. Cardiovascular disease is a very difficult disorder that can use many different mechanisms that do affect the blood vessel functions. In the early stages of heart disease, the artery walls begin to harden and in that case the walls restrict the flow of blood and clots may form and the condition could be severe. If a blood clot forms it can cause a heart attack or stroke.
The Oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad) cholesterol by the free radicals releases the air which stops the artery walls from hardening.
Flavonoids act as a suppressant of the tendency for small blood cells and they can clump together otherwise t form blood clots. These are said to have an aspirin like effect.
It is believed that the flavonoids are cancer inhibitors, they can't prevent cancer but they have the power to inhibit many side effects.
It is proven however, that the flavonoids are used to treat diarrhea. The cocoa inhibits fluids that are found in the small intestine.
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