We remember the taste of this drink from childhood. And this taste cannot be confused with anything else. A sip of cocoa gives us vigor and strength and returns to childhood. After all, no wonder cocoa is called the drink of the gods or the drink of children.

But, here's what this drink is useful for and whether it can harm our health, and also about who is contraindicated in the use of cocoa - we'll talk today ...

First of all, both the benefits and harms of cocoa lie in its special composition, as well as in the quantities in which you consume this drink. Abuse makes cocoa unhealthy, and “a sense of proportion” benefits our body.

The benefits of cocoa

The mechanism of action of cocoa

You probably remember the special property of this drink, when, after its first sips, your mood suddenly rises.

Scientists explain this property of cocoa by the fact that it contains a natural antidepressant called phenyl ephylamine and caffeine. By the way, there is less caffeine in cocoa than in coffee beans, but cocoa still contains useful vitamins, protein, iron, zinc and folic acid. And if coffee is not recommended during pregnancy, then there are no such contraindications regarding cocoa. So that, future mothers, cheer yourself up during pregnancy with a cup of cocoa - it will be useful for you and your baby.

After a few sips of cocoa, our body begins to produce a special hormone - endorphin (it is also called the hormone of happiness and joy), which is why we feel a surge of strength, vivacity and good mood after drinking this drink.

Benefits of cocoa

You can also find a substance in cocoa that helps protect our skin from harmful ultraviolet rays and their effects (this substance is called melanin), as well as substances that have a beneficial effect on the condition of our skin, making it supple and elastic.

Cocoa is also respected by people suffering from high blood pressure, after a cup of this drink, the pressure gradually decreases.
Cocoa is classified as a rather high-calorie product, so, One hundred grams of this product contains about four hundred calories.. This feature of cocoa is very useful to use in the morning, when you need to charge your waking up body with energy for the coming day.

The benefits of cocoa in cosmetology

Cocoa is also widely used in the field of cosmetology, cosmetologists use the nutritional properties of this product by adding cocoa to the composition of various shampoos, hair and skin care products. And some European beauty salons even practice massage using cocoa butter.

Harm cocoa

Harmful substances in cocoa

But, cocoa also has the other side of the utility coin - harm from drinking this drink. The composition of cocoa, in addition to substances useful for our body, also includes purine.

Purine is responsible for the preservation of hereditary information, metabolic processes and protein processing. This all refers to the content of purine within the acceptable range in our body, but abuse, or - excessive love for cocoa drink leads to the fact that the content of purine in our body exceeds the permissible norm, and as a result, processes of accumulation of uric acid occur in our body, which leads to diseases of the genitourinary system.

Probably, each of us is very familiar with the taste of cocoa from childhood. But, the benefits of cocoa, as well as harm, are not known to everyone. Today, cocoa is found in many products: chocolate, sweets, pastries. It is not only consumed as a drink. Cocoa grains have come down to us from the territory of modern Mexico. Today, grains are also grown in other countries. We are used to meeting cocoa in the form of powder. And it is very important to choose a quality product in order to really get the maximum benefit. And in order to understand the benefits and harms of the product, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition of natural high-quality cocoa beans.

Useful composition of cocoa

As soon as you get acquainted with the composition of the product, its benefits will immediately become clear. Grains are saturated with many vitamins, minerals and trace elements. A lot of vegetable natural protein is contained in the product. Also, the composition contains useful fats and carbohydrates necessary for the human body. But, cocoa is of particular importance due to the high level of dietary fiber, organic and saturated fatty acids. The latter are very difficult to find among our usual food.

Speaking about vitamins and minerals, it is important to note the following substances:

• Vitamins B, A, E, PP;
• beta carotene;
• Magnesium;
• Sodium;
• Potassium;
• Calcium;
• Zinc;
• Phosphorus;
• Iron;
• Copper;
• Manganese.

Also, the product contains starch, sugar, sulfur, molybdenum, chlorine. It is important to remember that whole or chopped fruits are very high in calories. So, 100 grams of cocoa contains up to 300 kcal. And if you cook milk-based powder, then the calorie content automatically increases. But, such a unique composition allows the body to quickly get enough, and feel full for a long time. Therefore, it is recommended to drink a cup of cocoa for an afternoon snack, but with less sugar. Otherwise, you can harm your figure.

There is much more zinc and iron in cocoa than in other familiar products. Iron is required by the body for blood and vessels. And zinc is very important in the formation of the reproductive system of young men during puberty. Also, experts say that the drink boasts a sufficient level of melanin, which protects our skin from various types of radiation. In general, looking at all the richness of trace elements, we can confidently speak about the undeniable benefits of cocoa.

Useful properties of cocoa

The useful properties of the product should be understood in more detail. Moreover, there are quite a few of them. First of all, the benefits of cocoa are observed for people suffering from frequent colds. By consuming cocoa in the form of a drink, you can very quickly restore strength, and the whole body as a whole. The drink has an expectorant effect, which means it is useful for a strong cough. So, doctors recommend such a product for the following diseases:

• Flu;
• SARS;
• Angina;
• Bronchitis;
• Pneumonia.

To get a truly healing effect in this case, you need to properly prepare the drink. A glass of milk should be warmed up no more, eat up to 40 degrees. A couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder is added and mixed thoroughly. It is very useful to use cocoa butter instead of powder. The taste will be unusual, oily, but the positive effect will be much faster.

Cocoa is very useful for the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Due to the high level of potassium content, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened. They become more elastic, which means their patency becomes better. So, people can get rid of hypertension. It is worth noting that cocoa has certain components that prevent platelets from sticking together. This greatly reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Thanks to iron, which is considered a natural antioxidant, blood is cleansed and restored. Special attention deserves the benefits of cocoa for the central nervous system. Surprisingly, such a delicious warm drink can quickly cheer you up by increasing the level of endorphins. Regular use of the product can improve brain function, increase memory, concentration.

Be sure to talk about the benefits for the gastrointestinal tact. The same potassium helps to remove bad cholesterol from the blood, which improves the general condition of a person. Together with cholesterol, toxins and slags are also removed. So, the work of the liver and intestines is completely restored. With cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, the value of cocoa is especially evident. High-quality fruits help to normalize portal pressure. The composition of the product includes substances such as elicatechins. They significantly reduce the risk of such diseases:

• Diabetes;
• Stroke;
• heart attack;
• stomach ulcer;
• Malignant and benign neoplasms.

The benefits of the drink for women

Speaking about the benefits of cocoa for women, first of all, beauty comes to mind. And cocoa beans have long been used to improve the condition of hair, skin and nails. By regularly using cocoa, the skin receives protection from the effects of ultraviolet and infrared radiation. With the full functioning of the skin, youth and beauty are preserved. Also, procyanidin is responsible for good skin elasticity. This element in the composition of cocoa is in sufficient quantities.

Drinking cocoa is also necessary to improve the quality of hair. Nicotinic acid is capable of stimulating active hair growth. Therefore, you can achieve an excellent volume of hair in a short period of time. At the same time, cocoa can be used both internally and externally in the form of an air conditioner or mask. In the case of external use, nicotinic acid will also improve the circulation of the scalp.

What is useful cocoa for men?

For the male body, high-quality dark chocolate is very useful. It is from cocoa beans that this product is made. A useful composition allows you to protect a man from strokes and heart attacks, while maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system. After all, the poor condition of the vessels leads to erectile dysfunction. Blood simply does not flow to the genitals, which makes it impossible to perform a full-fledged sexual intercourse.

And zinc, which is very abundant in cocoa, has a direct positive effect on potency. The fact is that zinc helps to increase sexual desire, libido. In addition, zinc is the main building material of testosterone. Also, the mineral favorably affects the condition of sperm. So, you can significantly increase the number of active motile spermatozoa. Therefore, cocoa can be called an excellent prevention of male infertility.

Is cocoa harmful?

Despite such a variety of useful properties, there is a group of people for whom cocoa in any form is categorically contraindicated for use. So, first of all, it is worth noting allergy sufferers. Cocoa is known to be an allergen product. And in many cases it is banned for life. Otherwise, the patient may experience such undesirable allergic reactions:

• Allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis;
• Attacks of coughing and choking;
• Hives;
• Itching and burning of the skin;
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Diarrhea;
• Quincke's edema;
• Anaphylactic shock.

In this case, the harm of cocoa is obvious. It is very important to remember that in case of allergies, even cosmetic preparations for external use containing cocoa extract are prohibited. Under improper storage and cultivation conditions, cocoa can cause severe food poisoning. It has been established that the poorest quality product comes to our supermarkets from China.

• Sclerosis;
• Atherosclerosis;
• Diabetes;
• Diarrhea;
• Obesity.

Grains are rich in purines. Exceeding the permissible level of these components provokes salt deposits on the surface of the joints. Also, under their influence, the accumulation of uric acid can occur. Subject to all the rules and norms of cocoa consumption, only the benefits, and not harm, of cocoa for the body will be observed.

Not a single confectionery industry can do without cocoa powder; every housewife who loves to cook cakes, muffins and other pastries has it. Favored by many children, cocoa and hot chocolate are tasty and healthy drinks that also use this brown powder.

In fact, cocoa powder is a waste after the production of grated cocoa and butter, which are used to make good varieties, and other confectionery. The cake remaining after pressing the oil is dried and crushed.

A few hundred years ago, all over the world, cocoa powder was highly valued and cost more than butter. But when in Europe they learned how to make real dark chocolate and appreciated its taste, the situation changed radically. Prices for this product from different manufacturers can vary greatly, this is primarily due to the quality of the raw materials.

This product is an excellent source of vegetable matter, one tablespoon contains 10% of the total mass of proteins that the body should receive daily.

Despite the previous processing, cocoa powder is not completely devoid of oil, 100 g of the product contains an average of 15-18 g of cocoa butter. The ratio of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in it is approximately the same. The former are a source of energy for the body, while the latter perform a number of functions that ensure normal fat (including cholesterol) metabolism. 100 g of cocoa powder contains approximately 285 kcal.

There are very few carbohydrates in it, which cannot be said about. All the fiber that is in cocoa beans, as a result of processing, almost completely remains in the powder.

Beneficial features

If you delve into the chemical composition of this product, you can find out that it contains many more trace elements than cocoa butter and many other products.

A drink based on cocoa powder is a real find for those who care about the state of their cardiovascular system. In a couple of tablespoons of powder there will be such an amount and that is capable of providing a quarter of the daily requirement of an adult.

For the musculoskeletal system, this product is no less useful, it is rich in phosphorus and - "builders" of bone and joint tissues. Perhaps that is why cocoa s is one of the drinks that has “settled” in the menu of kindergartens and schools since Soviet times.

Drinks and dishes with cocoa powder can be recommended when it is very rich in iron. Also, this product is one of the champions in the content of copper, manganese, molybdenum and some other valuable trace elements. Cocoa powder contains almost all the B vitamins that ensure the functioning of the nervous system. Due to the high content of dietary fiber, cocoa powder can also be attributed to products that improve digestion.

Benefits for asthma

Due to the high content of theobromine, cocoa drink is useful for other diseases of the respiratory system. This substance has a number of effects necessary to improve the condition in diseases: expands the bronchi, thins sputum, prevents the development of allergic reactions, improves the contractility of the pectoral muscles and stimulates the respiratory center in the brain.

Benefits for athletes

Cocoa is one of the favorite drinks of athletes, not only because of its high protein content. This product helps to replenish the supply of vitamins, minerals and increase the body's endurance. Particular attention in bodybuilding is paid to such a substance as, which is quite a lot in cocoa powder. This microelement is necessary for the production of male sex hormones, which are responsible for gaining muscle mass. The powder is not only diluted in milk, but also added to protein shakes.

Cocoa is a natural energy drink

Drinking hot chocolate or cocoa is better in the morning or during the day, as it contains caffeine and theobromine, and cocoa powder has even more of them than dark chocolate. These substances are very similar in properties and have a stimulating effect on the body.

Cocoa powder stimulates the nervous system, enhances cardiac activity, has a vasodilating effect and reduces blood viscosity, enhances the excretion of fluid from the body. That is why a cup of cocoa will be useful for headaches, to relieve fatigue and drowsiness, to increase efficiency and brain activity. From this point of view, drinking any drinks with cocoa powder at night is not advisable.

Harm of cocoa powder

Allergies to cocoa products are quite common, so not everyone can enjoy hot chocolate and cocoa drinks.

Abuse of this product can lead to digestive disorders, cause weight gain and other disorders of fat metabolism.

Channel One, the program “Expertise of things. OTK" on the topic "Cocoa powder":

TV channel "TV 6", program "Housekeeping", edition on the theme "Cocoa":

Many people from childhood love an invigorating brown drink with a delicate foam. Its aroma and sweet taste evoke pleasant memories. Not only children, but also adults drink cocoa with pleasure. This drink appeared in Europe in the 16th century and already then became popular. After all, Europeans liked the invigorating properties of cocoa beans, and by adding sugar and cream to the drink, they also made it tasty. And only in the 19th century did the harm of this product appear and are still being studied, and many doctors argue whether it can be given to children.

For many years, in all kindergartens and schools, cocoa was the main drink. And indeed, it has not only a pleasant taste, but also many other advantages. Cocoa powder is now used to make the drink. Its benefits and harms for children are still being studied. But this drink is still very popular.

The benefits of cocoa

Already with the appearance of cocoa beans in Europe, people noticed their invigorating effect. This product increases the tone of the body, efficiency and accelerates recovery after illness and heavy physical exertion. The content in cocoa of biologically active substances that stimulate the production of endorphins leads to the fact that it improves mood and is a strong antidepressant. In addition, it not only helps fight stress, but also increases concentration and activates thinking.

The composition of cocoa powder can tell a lot about the benefits of this drink. Besides

the content of proteins, fats, vitamins and trace elements in it, scientists have found many other useful substances in cocoa. For example, tryptophan helps in the treatment of depression, theobromine reduces cough and relieves Caffeine improves tone, and antioxidants help rejuvenate the body. Polyphenols normalize blood pressure and reduce which helps in the treatment of hypertension.

And that's not all the benefits that cocoa powder brings. Its properties in wound healing, tissue regeneration and increasing skin elasticity contribute to the widespread use of this product in cosmetology. Especially important is the ability of this drink to protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.

But not everyone can consume this product is seriously studied. And despite the many advantages, an invigorating aromatic drink can bring big problems.

Harm cocoa

Due to its caffeine content, you should not drink more than two cups of the drink a day, as this can cause overexcitation, anxiety, and even addiction. Cocoa powder contains a lot of purines, so it is undesirable to use it in case of kidney disease. In addition, this product often causes allergic reactions. This is due to the fact that during its production, along with cocoa beans, insects are processed, which cause allergies in people.

The most harmful is instant cocoa powder, as it contains many emulsifiers, flavors and other artificial additives. Therefore, you need to buy only a natural product from well-known manufacturers.

Cocoa powder is used in the preparation of many dishes. The benefits and harms of it are still known to a few, but almost every housewife has this product in the kitchen. It is added to pastries or cereals. In addition, it is so nice to drink a cup of fragrant hot cocoa in the morning.

Cocoa for many adults is associated with childhood, mother's care and warmth. And it is not surprising that mom wants to treat her growing child to such a delicious drink. In order for the baby to receive only pleasant emotions and benefits from him, you should know how many months it is allowed to try such a drink, what are the benefits and harms, and also how to cook it for the child.

What is cocoa

A drink called "cocoa" is made from the fruits of an evergreen tree with the same name. It was first brewed by the ancient Aztecs, who called it "bitter water". When the fruits came to Europe, a drink from them was brewed only for royalty. Only in the 18th century ordinary people began to drink it. Now beans for the manufacture of cocoa powder are grown mainly in Africa, and the drink is distributed throughout the world.

Cocoa comes from South America

What is useful

• The child will receive valuable proteins, fiber, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, vitamin B9, iron and other substances.
• Stimulates the synthesis of endorphins, thanks to which cocoa improves mood.
• Rich in polyunsaturated fats, important for the formation of cell membranes. These fatty acids reduce bad cholesterol levels.
• It attracts with its pleasant chocolate taste and perfectly satisfies hunger. It is useful to give thin children.
• Theobromine in the composition is able to slightly inhibit the cough reflex, therefore, the drink is recommended for dry cough that torments the child.
• If the baby refuses milk, then cocoa will help to get out of this situation without conflicts, because for its preparation they usually use a recipe for milk.
• The biologically active compounds that it contains have a positive effect on mental activity. Drinking cocoa in the morning will improve the student's performance and relieve stress from stress during lessons.
• It has the ability to accelerate the recovery processes in the muscles after exercise, therefore, such a drink is recommended for children attending sports sections.

Cocoa saturates the children's body with vitamins and minerals, improves performance and improves mood.

Harm and contraindications

• Allergies may occur therefore, with a tendency to allergic reactions, acquaintance with such a drink is postponed to a later age (at least up to 3 years). A negative reaction is manifested by spots on the skin, an itchy rash, inflammation of the eyelids and other symptoms. When they appear, you should immediately stop the drink and consult a doctor.
• Acts as a source of caffeine and theobromine, whose properties are similar. These compounds in excess increase the activity of the child and excite the nervous system. For this reason, cocoa should be discarded with hyperactivity, as well as babies with a choleric temperament.
• Drinking cocoa at night can prevent a child from falling asleep.
• The preparation of the drink involves the addition of milk and sugar, so cocoa is quite high-calorie. This limits its use in overweight children.
• If you give it to a child before meals, the baby may refuse food, because the drink is quite satisfying.
• It is contraindicated in children who have impaired kidney function, and also have problems with purine metabolism.
• Too frequent use may cause constipation.
• The drink may cause migraine.

Cocoa excites the nervous system and can cause allergies

From what age to give children

Doctors do not advise giving cocoa to a one-year-old child, but they recommend trying such a drink for the first time only from the age of 2. Inappropriate use at 1 year is associated with an increased risk of allergies. In addition, extra sugar and increased activity for such a small child is also useless. That is why the first cup should be offered to a two-year-old toddler or an older child.

The first serving should be a small amount of drink - just a few spoons. So the mother will be able to understand whether the child tolerates cocoa well or acquaintance should be postponed until the age of 3-5 years. If after the morning portion of the drink by the evening the child does not have a rash on the skin and other signs of allergy, the next time the volume of the product can be doubled. The portion increases gradually and very carefully up to the age norm.

Doctors recommend using cocoa for children over 2 years old.

How much can a child drink

At the age of 2 to 5 years, the optimal serving of cocoa per day is 50 ml, and the frequency of drinking the drink should not exceed 4 times a week. It is best to offer cocoa to children for breakfast. Let such a sweet drink be a rare treat at preschool age, and from the age of 6 you can drink it more often (even every day). A student under 10 years old can drink 100 ml at a time, and at an older age, the portion can be increased to 150-250 ml.

The daily serving of cocoa for a 2-year-old child should be no more than 50 ml

Komarovsky's opinion

Komarovsky calls cocoa a healthy drink for a child, but at the same time focuses the attention of parents that it acts as a source of energy. According to a popular doctor, there will be no harm from one cup of cocoa a day, but mom should remember that cocoa will increase the activity of the baby, so you should not drink this drink at night.

A short commentary from the doctor in the video below.

How to choose

How to cook

To prepare a delicious drink, pour 1.5 teaspoons of cocoa powder into a saucepan. Add the same amount of sugar and mix thoroughly so that there are no lumps. Pour in 100 ml of hot water and, heating over moderate heat with constant stirring, wait until it boils, then pour in 150 ml of milk (it should be preheated).

Lower the heat and continue heating the drink, removing it from the stove before the cocoa boils. Take a whisk and whisk the drink for 15 seconds until foam appears. So you mix the components more thoroughly and prevent the formation of a film (many children refuse such a drink because of it).

The proportion of sugar and cocoa powder can be changed according to the preferences of the child. Some people like a sweeter drink, while others like a more chocolatey one. If cocoa will be served with cookies or other sweet products, the amount of sugar in the recipe should be reduced. You can diversify the recipe by adding vanilla, cinnamon, condensed milk, baked milk or cream during cooking.

A preschool child can drink it both warm and chilled. Some babies really like to feast on them through a cocktail straw.

For older children, you can make a dessert by pouring cold cocoa on a ball of ice cream and decorating with whipped cream and chocolate chips on top.

Schoolchildren during the cold season can be offered a cocktail rich in vitamin C, for the preparation of which you need to combine with a blender 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, a glass of milk and 3 tablespoons of rosehip syrup. In such a drink, you can also add any berries or fruits to taste.

Cocoa or hot chocolate

When a child has tasted cocoa and fell in love with this drink, many mothers have the idea to prepare hot chocolate for the crumbs from natural chocolate and cream, but this delicacy is less preferable for the children's menu, as the drink turns out to be very fatty, thick and high-calorie. Include it in the children's menu is not earlier than 10 years.

If we are talking about instant hot chocolate, which is bought in a supermarket, children do not need to get acquainted with such a drink at all. It is good if it happens as late as possible, because the composition of such a product includes many stabilizers, flavors, emulsifiers and other additives. These substances are not useful even for adults, so children do not need such “hot chocolate” all the more.

For information on when you can give cocoa to a child, and why it is considered safer than coffee or tea, see Dr. Komarovsky's program.

You will learn even more about the benefits by watching the program "Live Healthy".