Thought I'd start a thread about
health related stuff.
I'll start off with this article:
Benefits of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
I had lunch with a buddy today and he mentioned Cocoa Powder as beneficial for the joints, but in reading this article it looks like it has quite a few other significant benefits.
Quote:
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Flavonoids are the plant-based substances responsible for many of cocoa’s health benefits. There are many different types of flavonoids, but cocoa is a good source of two: epicatechin and catechin. Natural unsweetened cocoa powder has 196 milligrams of epicatechin in every 100 grams of powder, compared with unsweetened chocolate squares which have 142 milligrams and dark chocolate candy with 84 milligrams. Sweetened cocoa mix and milk chocolate have even fewer flavonoids. The flavonoids in cocoa function as antioxidants that help prevent systemic inflammation. Epicatechin relaxes the muscles in blood vessels, which improves blood flow and helps lower blood pressure, according to research published in the March 2012 issue of the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.”
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The article also has a couple suggested serving tips.
Feel free to post anything you have run across that might be useful!