Dark Chocolate Health Benefits

Dark chocolate containing 80 percent cacao or higher is packed with nutrients that can strengthen your body’s defense systems and positively affect your overall health. It is so outstanding, many consider it a superfood containing surprising health benefits.

Dark Chocolate is Heart Healthy

Epidemiologists have long-established a connection between consuming foods with flavanols—a potent antioxidant found in dark chocolate—and a lower incidence of death from cardiovascular disease.

Increases Good Gut Bacteria While Controlling the Bad

Researchers from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom studied specific bacteria affected by chocolate consumption by giving 22 healthy volunteers a beverage containing high-cocoa flavanols for four weeks. They found that this drink strikingly improved the ratio of good to harmful bacteria. There was an increase of beneficial Lactobacillus (by 17.5 times) and Bifidobacteria (by 3.6 times), and there was a decrease in harmful Clostridium histolyticum (by 2 times), a bacteria best known for causing gangrene.

Reduces Stress

For stressed-out individuals, eating dark chocolate can reduce biomarkers of anxiety and stress in the body. Researchers at the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research designed a study that tested the effects of dark chocolate consumption on high-anxiety subjects. Participants received a medium-sized commercially available chocolate bar (Noir Intense, 74 percent dark) to eat every day. After two weeks, researchers found that levels of the stress markers cortisol and adrenaline had substantially decreased in their urine.

Dark Chocolate is Antiangiogenic

Scientists at the University of California at Davis have shownthat bioactives called procyanidins in cocoa have potent antiangiogenic effects through their ability to stop the signals activating blood vessel cells. Research my group has conducted on cocoa powder showed that not all chocolate is the same. When we studied the antiangiogenic effect of cocoa from two different powder suppliers, one of the samples had twice the potency of the other.

Stem Cell-Recruiting Food

With the help of over 750,000 stem cells, your body regenerates itself each and every day. Dark chocolate can mobilize your stem cells to carry out their job to the fullest. At the University of California, San Francisco, researchers found that participants who received a chocolate drink made with cocoa twice a day for thirty days had twice as many stem cells in their circulation as their control group.

Consumption of Dark Chocolate May Lower Diabetes Risk

As a sweet, chocolate is a confection containing saturated fat and processed sugar, two ingredients that are not healthy. But dark chocolate with high amounts of cocoa solids provides antioxidants, which mobilize stem cells, aid in blood sugar control, and reduce inflammation—all contributing to a reduced risk of diabetes.

Dark Chocolate Provides DNA Protection

DNA is your personal genetic blueprint that guides every aspect of your health. Yet, DNA is quite fragile and is the target of ferocious attacks throughout your life. Antioxidant compounds found in dark chocolate—like flavanols and other polyphenols—have been discovered to support DNA repair and strengthen your body’s regenerating abilities.

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The health benefits of dark chocolate are both impressive and exciting. But you must choose wisely—not all commercially available chocolate is nutrient-dense.

Source:  https://drwilliamli.com/7-pleasantly-surprising-health-benefits-of-dark-chocolate/

Cacao vs. Cocoa

The impressive bioactive profile of cacao has amazing health benefits. 

Cacao vs. Cocoa: What is the Difference?

Chocolate is made from cacao beans, which are technically considered seeds.

Full agreement does not exist on when to use the terms of Cacao vs. Cocoa. Some say products utilizing the entire cacao pod should be deemed “cacao” and the pressed powder should garner the name “cocoa.”

Others believe the raw versions should be labeled “cacao” while the roasted and more processed varieties should be called “cocoa.”

In Dr. William Li’s opinio, the terminology should not matter nearly as much as the ingredient list and flavonoid levels. So long as unnecessary additives like sugar are not added to the product, both cacao and cocoa can be extraordinarily nutrient-dense.

Health Benefits of Cacao/Cocoa 

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, determined that bioactives called procyanidins in cocoa have potent antiangiogenic effects through their ability to stop the signals activating blood vessel cells, which can lead to various diseases such as cancer, skin diseases, age-related blindness, diabetic ulcers, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and more. 

Cacao has also been shown to improve stem cell function. At the University of California, San Francisco, researchers explored whether a chocolate drink made with cocoa containing high levels of flavanols could influence stem cells and blood vessel health. Participants who drank the high-flavanol beverage had twice as many stem cells in their circulation compared to the people who drank the low- flavanol cocoa, showing that the more flavanols contained in the product, the more stem cell benefits it boasts.

Cacao also positively impacts the gut microbiome. A study conducted by Louisiana State University researchers found that fiber in cacao feeds healthy gut bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. These beneficial bacteria generate compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that also improve glucose and lipid metabolism.

Dark Chocolate the Healthy Option

Dark chocolate contains high amounts of cocoa solids, which deliver numerous health benefits. Dark chocolate also contains a greater percentage of cacao, less sugar, and little dairy. 

As a rule of thumb, opt for dark chocolate that contains 70% or greater cacao, read the ingredient list to be sure there are no additives, and keep in mind that, typically, the darker the chocolate, the more nutrients it contains, stresses Dr. Li.

Source: https://drwilliamli.com/health-benefits-of-cacao/

Dark Chocolate, Cacao and Stem Cell Research

A clinical study at the University of California, San Francisco has shed light on the remarkable connection between cocoa and stem cells, revealing how cacoa could play a role in mobilizing and boosting these powerful agents of healing, according to Stemcoa.

Stem Cell Research

Stem cells have garnered significant attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to their unique ability to transform into various cell types and aid in tissue repair and regeneration.

Scientists have been exploring ways to harness the potential of stem cells to treat a range of medical conditions, from degenerative diseases to injuries. One intriguing avenue of research has focused on identifying natural substances that can enhance stem cell function, and cocoa has emerged as a surprising contender.

The Clinical Study: Does Cocoa Increase Stem Cells?

A groundbreaking clinical study conducted by a team of researchers aimed to investigate the effects of cocoa consumption on stem cell mobilization and activity within the human body. The study involved a group of participants who were given a controlled dose of cocoa (dark chocolate) over a specific period, and the results were nothing short of astonishing.

Enhanced Stem Cell Mobilization: The study revealed that cocao powder (dark chocolate), abundant in flavonoids and procyanidins, will boost cellular health and stem cell production, driven by its high epicatechin levels. Recent findings show cocoa intake significantly enhances stem cell mobilization from bone marrow to the bloodstream, aiding their migration to injury sites for healing. Further research is needed to establish the optimal dosage for these benefits.

Increased Stem Cell Proliferation: Additionally, the researchers observed a notable increase in the proliferation of stem cells in response to cocoa consumption. This heightened replication of stem cells indicates a potential for accelerated tissue repair and regeneration.

Improved Stem Cell Activity: The study also demonstrated that cocoa consumption was associated with enhanced stem cell activity, as evidenced by increased expression of genes related to stem cell function. This suggests that cocoa might not only boost the number of stem cells but also enhance their ability to carry out their regenerative roles effectively.

The Mechanism Behind Cocoa’s Magic

The exact mechanism by which cocoa exerts its beneficial effects on stem cells is a subject of ongoing research. However, there are several factors that could contribute to this fascinating phenomenon:

Flavonoids: Cocoa is rich in flavonoids, which are potent antioxidants known for their anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits. These compounds may play a role in creating an optimal environment for stem cell function.

Nitric Oxide Production: Cocoa consumption has been linked to increased production of nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a crucial role in blood vessel dilation and overall circulation. Improved blood flow can enhance the delivery of stem cells to target tissues.

Hormonal Modulation: Certain components of cocoa may influence hormonal pathways related to stem cell activation and proliferation, further contributing to their mobilization and activity.

Cocoa’s potential to enhance stem cell function is a remarkable discovery with promising implications for regenerative medicine and overall health.

Source:  https://stemcoa.com/blogs/stemcoa-blog/how-cocoa-boosts-stem-cells-a-fascinating-clinical-study

Benefits of Dark Chocolate and It’s Impact on Stem Cells

Dark chocolate containing 80 percent cacao or higher is packed with nutrients that can strengthen your body’s defense systems and positively affect your overall health.

With the help of over 750,000 stem cells, your body regenerates itself each and every day, states Dr. William Li.

Dark chocolate can mobilize your stem cells to carry out their job to the fullest. At the University of California, San Francisco, researchers found that participants who received a chocolate drink made with cocoa twice a day for thirty days had twice as many stem cells in their circulation as their control group.