TO reap the real nutritional value of most cocoa beverages, it is better to take them without milk. The correct drinking of unsweetened cocoa beverages can help in the prevention of Malaria, high blood pressure, diabetes, fatigue and stress.Dr. Olayiwola Olubamiwa, a cocoa expert at Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan who dropped the hint yesterday at a media forum for the launching of a Jingle for a new cocoa beverage, 'Oluji Pure Cocoa Powder' also said that most cocoa beverages in the market contain less than 10 per cent of the cocoa powder that are a rich source of flavanols required by the body for good health.According to Dr. Olubamiwa and other experts at the venue of the launching, the regular intake of cocoa beverage does a lot of good to the since its richness in antioxidants helps to fight disease factors in the body.But, he warned that the intake of cocoa in the beverage form cannot ensure that these health benefits of cocoa are enjoyed.His words: 'Cocoa powder has a higher amount of the antioxidants even in comparison with dark chocolate, and so makes it the best cocoa form that people should take as part of their diet.'He added that: 'The best cocoa powder to take is that made by milling dried cocoa bean from which the cocoa butter has been extracted. It is necessary to caution against intake of cocoa with milk as this lowers the potency of cocoa.The culprit in milk is a group of proteins called caseins that interact with cocoa decreasing the concentration of the polyphenols. In addition, sugar or honey should be used in mild quantities for best effects. Some take it that a cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food.'He addedthat a cup of cocoa also keeps the doctor away. 'A cup of cocoa is rich in antioxidants that help combat free radicals, which have been linked to diseases like cancer, heart disease and stroke' he said, thus, suggesting that cocoa is a better healthy drink.Given that most people are suffering from health challenges Dr. Olubamiwa said if people consciously increase their cocoa intake, it will help to also lower their blood pressure.The ability of the antioxidant flavanols in cocoa to promote nitric oxide production in the body to make the body produce more of the hormone insulin, he said, has made cocoa consumption helpful in preventing diabetes. He declared that the insulin produced after ingestion of cocoa powder was more active and, hence, better at preventing high blood glucose levels that precede or indicate diabetes.Quite unlike what many may realise, several ingredients in the cocoa powder beverage such as pentameric procyanidin and theobromine also arrest breast cancer and persistent coughs respectively. Theobromine, he said, has been found to be a more effective cough medicine than traditional remedies and without side effects. In addition, theobromine, a stimulant in cocoa ensures that body muscles are stimulated and, thus, making it a nature's version of Viagra (sex enhancing drug).Another study also hints that eating chocolate which is mainly from cocoa may boost brain function. In the study, the volunteers that consumed chocolate recipes got stimulating effect, which led to increased mental performance.Magnesium which has healing effect on a range of diseases as well as its ability to rejuvenate the ageing body and to alleviate bronchial asthma, pre or post-menstrual syndrome, anxiety, insomnia, migraine and hardening of the blood vessels with age among others Dr. Olubamiwa, said cocoa is the highest source of magnesium.He also pointed out that the fact that Nigeria is a malaria endemic region therefore mothers should serve their children cocoa drink to protect them from malaria. According to him, there is anecdotal report that daily intake of pure cocoa beverage reduces the frequency of malaria by a Ghanaian expert, who stated that flavanols in cocoa retard life cycle of malaria parasite as well as boost body immunity to ward off malaria symptoms.Mr. Akin Olusuyi, Managing Director/CEO, cocoa products (Ile-Oluji) limited earlier in his speech called on the governments of cocoa producing states and the federal government to take active interests in cocoa for both economic and citizen welfare reasons.'The general wellbeing of Nigerians can take a turn for the better if they are properly educated and mobilised to cultivate the cocoa eating habit. This will impact positively not only on the general health of the citizens but also that of the nation. After all a nation is as healthy as her citizens. On the economic side, this will encourage value addition to our cocoa and expand the local processing capacity with its attendant employment generation and increase in revenue and GDP.' He said.
Click here to read full news..
