Cocoa is rich in polyphenols, which are antioxidants. Professor Lee Hyung-joo's team from Seoul National University's Department of Food Engineering published a paper in the Journal of the American College of Clinical Nutrition stating that drinking a cup of cocoa a day can help prevent cancer.

It has been reported that a cup of cocoa contains twice as much polyphenols as a glass of red wine, three times as much as green tea, and five times as much as black tea.

 

A study at Harvard Medical School in the United States found that flavonoids in cocoa help improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease and diabetes, and also slow aging.

Cocoa is also effective in preventing peripheral artery disease. Peripheral artery disease is a condition caused by narrowing or blockage of the arteries in the legs.

A research team at Northwestern University in Chicago, USA, conducted a study on 44 patients with peripheral artery disease aged 60 and above. The participants were divided into two groups: one that drank three cups of cocoa beverage daily for six months and a placebo group.

According to MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) results, individuals who consumed cocoa experienced a 20% increase in blood flow to the legs. This is because a component called epicatechin in cocoa enhances mitochondrial activity in patients with peripheral arterial disease, leading to increased blood flow and improved muscle health.

 

Cocoa also helps improve mood. The sweetness of cocoa stimulates endorphin secretion, lifting feelings of depression. Additionally, it simultaneously improves metabolism and blood circulation, making it a good beverage for early dementia patients with memory impairment.

However, excessive intake is not recommended. Drinking more than two cups of cocoa may exceed the daily recommended amount.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily intake of 50g, but according to the Korea Food & Drug Administration, the sugar content of cocoa sold at coffee shops is an average of 31g. This amounts to approximately 60% of the recommended intake.

 

You should also be cautious of the sodium content in cocoa. It varies depending on the product, but one cocoa stick (30g) contains 50 to 100mg of sodium. If you mix the powder with milk or combine it with other powders, you may consume even more sodium.

Cocoa is also high in calories. A cup of cocoa contains 100 to 150 kcal, which is not a small amount of calories for a snack or dessert. If you buy cocoa powder, it is advisable to check the sugar and sodium content and choose a product with lower levels.

 

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Cocoa in general

Drinking it mixed with water

It's more savory and delicious when mixed with milk.