Cocoa beans are a rich source of magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese, A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and pantothenic acid.
They also contain a large amount of polyphenols and are known to reduce high blood pressure as well as reduce the blood’s ability to clot, effectively lowering the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Phenylethylamine, also found in cocoa, is an antidepressant and stimulant similar to dopamine and adrenaline.
Cocoa increases levels of Serotonin in the brain; these levels are often decreased in people with depression and in those experiencing PMS symptoms.
But don’t get too excited…
Cocoa beans contain approximately 50% fat, and the calorie count for chocolate is very high because of the fat and sugar content.
A small square of dark bittersweet chocolate every three days is ideal for cardiovascular health, but the negative affects of eating more outweighs the positive.
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