Why you need more chocolate in your life!
One of the most favorite parts of my day is our lunch break. The entire staff piles into the break room and if they haven’t booked clients through their lunch, we have a rare moment to decompress for a few short minutes and laugh until we cry and can’t move. No one ever leaves for lunch. It’s been this way for the last 13 years and we all look forward to this brief time together. We hug and squeeze, fight over story-telling and judge each others huge lack of food-prep efforts, minus Chloe. We are all actually pretty darn good at it, but it’s still a great opportunity to razz one another. What it amounts to is we all end up eating the exact same thing. Photocopied lunch boxes times 12. One of our favs is chia pudding. Lately I’ve been dumping 2 heaping tablespoons of organic cacao powder in it and it looks and tastes like a dark chocolate parfait. Don’t get me wrong, I love the flavor, but I pile it in for the magical anti-aging benefits.
I’ll post my recipe at the bottom!
Among the many promising anti-aging superfoods, cocoa flavonoids have emerged as a noteworthy candidate due to its powerful properties. Derived from cocoa beans, these natural compounds have shown immense potential in preserving and rejuvenating the skin, promoting overall health, and slowing down the aging process. Let’s look at the importance of cocoa flavonoids in anti-aging and the beneficial effects on human health.
- Antioxidant Power of Cocoa Flavonoids: Cocoa flavonoids possess remarkable antioxidant properties that play a crucial role in fighting the signs of aging. These antioxidants effectively neutralize free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that cause oxidative stress and damage to cells and tissues. By scavenging free radicals, cocoa flavonoids protect the body against premature aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Furthermore, their ability to inhibit oxidative stress helps maintain the structural integrity of collagen, a protein responsible for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness.
- Stimulation of Collagen Synthesis: Research suggests that cocoa flavonoids can stimulate the production of collagen in the body. They activate specific signaling pathways that promote the synthesis of collagen by fibroblast cells, which are responsible for producing collagen in the skin. By increasing collagen synthesis, cocoa flavonoids can help improve the skin’s elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Improved Blood Flow and Cardiovascular Health: Healthy blood flow is vital for maintaining optimal health and combating aging. Cocoa flavonoids have demonstrated vasodilatory effects, meaning they promote the relaxation and widening of blood vessels. This effect leads to improved blood circulation and enhanced delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to the body’s tissues and organs, including the skin. By nourishing the skin from within, cocoa flavonoids help maintain its vitality, radiance, and youthful appearance. Additionally, their positive impact on cardiovascular health helps reduce the risk of age-related conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
- Anti-Inflammatory and Immune-Boosting Properties: Chronic inflammation is closely associated with the aging process and numerous age-related diseases. Cocoa flavonoids possess anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation and prevent the cellular damage caused by chronic inflammation. By modulating the immune system, cocoa flavonoids promote a balanced inflammatory response, protecting against the age-accelerating effects of prolonged inflammation. Furthermore, a healthy immune system is vital for maintaining overall health and combating the age-related decline in immune function.
- Stress Reduction and Psychological Well-being: Psychological stress can accelerate the aging process and contribute to the development of age-related diseases. Cocoa flavonoids have been found to exert positive effects on mental health by reducing stress and improving mood. They stimulate the production of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals, which contribute to a sense of well-being and happiness. By alleviating stress, cocoa flavonoids indirectly combat aging by reducing the harmful effects of chronic stress on the body.
So for all of you dark chocolate fans, have solace in knowing that your late night cocoa flavonoids offer significant potential in the fight against aging. Their antioxidant power, ability to improve blood flow, anti-inflammatory properties, and positive impact on psychological well-being make them a valuable ally in maintaining youthful skin and overall health. Incorporating cocoa flavonoid-rich foods, such as dark chocolate or cocoa powder, into a balanced diet may help preserve and enhance both physical and mental well-being, leading to a healthier and more youthful aging process.
Dark Chocolate Chia Parfait:
•2 scoops Primal Kitchen Collagen Fuel Collagen Peptide Protein Powder, Vanilla Coconut
•1/4 Cup Purely Elizabeth’s Keto Granola (any flavor) *I use Cinnamon Peanut Butter
•Dash of cinnamon
•2 Tablespoons Navitas Organic Cacao Powder
•2 Tablespoons Organic Chia Seeds
•1/2 Cup to 1 Cup Almond Milk – depending on how thick you like your pudding
Shake or stir very well.
Store in covered or sealed jar overnight in fridge.
*PRO TIP:
DON’T REFRIGERATE your powder!
Moisture in the fridge can lead to what’s called “sugar bloom,” meaning the sugar rises to the surface and discolors the chocolate.
Store your powder in a cool, dry area in an airtight container. Cacao powders are shelf stable for one year after opening.
Nutrition of cacao
Cacao contains quite a few essential nutrients that are beneficial to your health. In just a 2.5 tablespoon serving of Navitas organic cacao powder, you’ll get 8% of your daily iron, 102mg of magnesium, and 291mg of potassium. These nutrients are essential for helping your blood transport oxygen, plus they help regulate fluid balance and muscle contractions.
