Is cacao good for your liver?
Cacao products, such as dark chocolate and cocoa powder, can be liver-friendly foods when consumed in moderation. Research suggests that chocolate consumption may help lower liver enzyme levels and improve various aspects of health in individuals with liver disease. Benefits of Chocolate: Cocoa Can Improve Blood Flow Within two hours of eating this kind of cocoa, your coronary arteries start working better. That means the vessels in your eyes are able to dilate more quickly.Essential Vitamins: Raw cacao is a source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and Pantothenic acid. So there you have, it’s not just a rumor… chocolate really isn’t so bad for us!Cacao chocolate lowers uric acid levels and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also an antioxidant, which means it may lower blood pressure and improve kidney function—both of which can help prevent gout.Dark chocolate with more than 80% cacao is known to naturally improve the levels of hemoglobin in the blood. Other than being loaded with nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants, dark chocolate is also rich in iron, with one medium-sized bar containing as much as 6.
Who should not drink cacao?
Individuals currently taking any SSRI antidepressants, low blood pressure medication, or those undergoing chemotherapy treatment should not drink more than a meditation dose. The combination of medication and Cacao can cause adverse effects when consumed in higher doses. The blood pressure‐lowering properties of cocoa have been linked to the formation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) which promotes vasodilation and consequently lowers blood pressure.Rapid heartbeat: Cocoa from dark chocolate can increase heart rate. Seizures: Cocoa contains caffeine.Blood pressure medications: Cacao may lower blood pressure. Combining it with blood pressure medications may increase the risk of hypotension (low blood pressure). Diuretics: Cacao contains a diuretic called theobromine. This may increase the risk of low blood potassium with other diuretics.
Are there any negative effects of cacao?
When taken by mouth: Eating cocoa is likely safe for most people. But keep in mind that cocoa contains caffeine and related chemicals, as well as heavy metals like lead. Eating large amounts might cause caffeine-related side effects such as nervousness, increased urination, sleeplessness, and a fast heartbeat. Potential neuroprotective properties of cocoa and chocolate flavanoids. Flavonoids exert a multiplicity of neuroprotective actions, including the capacity to protect neurons from damage induced by neurotoxins, reduce neuroinflammation, and promote memory, learning and cognitive function.Benefits of Chocolate: Cocoa Can Improve Blood Flow Within two hours of eating this kind of cocoa, your coronary arteries start working better. That means the vessels in your eyes are able to dilate more quickly.Cocoa flavanols have been shown to have beneficial effects on blood vessel function in individuals with normal kidney function. The flavanols found in cocoa and dark chocolate are part of a larger group of compounds called flavonoids that occur naturally in plant foods, in this case, the cocoa bean.Harvard research shows cocoa flavanols can improve memory, thinking speed, insulin resistance, and blood pressure all without drugs. The key is eating cacao in its purest form.
Is cacao ok for kidneys?
Chocolate naturally contains potassium, thanks to the cacao bean. For individuals with more advanced kidney disease, managing potassium intake could be crucial since excessive potassium can impact heart muscle function. Dark chocolate, with its higher cocoa content, contains more potassium than milk or white varieties. Notably, chocolates other than dark chocolate contain less cocoa and are not as beneficial. Many dark chocolate brands have over 70% of cocoa, while milk chocolates contain about 20-30% of cocoa solids. So, for Liver health, choose dark chocolates.Many studies have begun to investigate the potential benefits of dark chocolate on the Liver. It was found that dark chocolate reduces damage to the blood vessels in patients who have suffered scarring on the Liver due to excessive drinking or Liver disease.
Is cacao good for blood pressure?
More recently, studies have suggested that cocoa consumption might help with heart health factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol, and can boost artery health, vision and brain function. Research has suggested that chocolate and cocoa could reduce the risk of heart disease. In particular, polyphenols known as flavanols have been demonstrated to have antioxidant effects that reduce cell damage caused by heart disease, while also having blood thinning properties.Potential neuroprotective properties of cocoa and chocolate flavanoids. Flavonoids exert a multiplicity of neuroprotective actions, including the capacity to protect neurons from damage induced by neurotoxins, reduce neuroinflammation, and promote memory, learning and cognitive function.Regular consumption lowers cortisol, the main stress hormone. This can reduce stress and anxiety. Also, cacao’s mood elevation effects come from endorphins, or “feel-good” hormones. This can improve your mood and reduce depression and anxiety symptoms.Moreover, the flavonoids in cocoa can also help regulate mood by modulating the production of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in regulating our emotions, and their increased production can lead to feelings of happiness and well-being.