Benefits of Cocoa Powder & Where to Buy it In Nigeria

If you already know about all the interesting benefit of cocoa powder and just searching for where to buy cocoa powder in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Port Harcourt or anywhere Nigeria in general, then Click HERE.

Now, if you're to learn more about cocoa powder and all the juicy benefit is offers, then keep reading.

Let's start with...

What Is Cocoa Powder & How Is It Produced? 

Cocoa powder is a crushed cocoa bean, which the fat has been removed. It is made by finely grounding cocoa beans and removing the cocoa butter (the fat).

Cocoa is popularly known for making chocolate. However, what is less know is that cocoa naturally contains some powerful compounds, nutrients and minerals that can be beneficial to health.

Nutritional Facts Of Cocoa Powder 

One tablespoon (4.5g) of Cocoa Powder contains:

Where To Buy Cocoa Powder In Nigeria

You have several options to buy cocoa powder in Nigeria. Here are some options:

1. You can buy cocoa powder in many local supermarkets and superstores in Nigeria

2. You can buy cocoa powder online on sites like Jumia >> Here 

3. You can buy directly from a dealer on sites like Jiji.

Where To Buy Cocoa Powder In Nigeria

Here are some of the amazing benefits cocoa powder may offer you:

1. May Help In Weight Loss & Management  

Consuming cocoa, even in chocolate form, ironically may help in weight management.

A weight-loss research study using low-carb diets discovered that the subgroup given 42 grams of 81% cocoa chocolate per day lost weight faster than the regular diet group (29).

It is suggested that cocoa can help Increase fat oxidation, reduce appetite and increase the feeling of fullness [1, 2].

If you want to learn more about weight loss, then I suggest you take a quick look at this 

 >> Fat loss in-depth guide

Also:

2. Can Balance Cholesterol Level

Cocoa considered as an effective cholesterol level balancer. In the sense that it can help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol & triglycerides while increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol. 

3. May Kick Against Type 2 Diabetes 

Cocoa has been shown to have some anti-diabetic effects.

Some research study revealed that higher intake of flavanols (including those found in cocoa), can lead to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes [3, 4].

Test-tube studies pointed out that cocoa flavanols can slow down digestion and absorption of carbohydrate in the gut,  enhance insulin secretion, decrease inflammation and stimulate the transfer of sugar out of the blood into the muscle [3].

In addition, a further human studies review showed that dark chocolate or cocoa (rich in flavanol) can decrease inflammation, decrease insulin sensitivity, improve blood sugar control in both diabetic and non-diabetic people  [3].

Despite these potential results, more research is still required because there were inconsistencies, limited effect and no effect at all in some of the research studies [5, 6, 7].

4. Can Improve Cognitive Function

Flavanols found in cocoa influences the secretion of nitric oxide that relaxes the muscles  blood vessels, improving blood flow to the brain [8, 9]. Which can lead to improvement in memory, attention span, and processing ability.

A two-week study carried out on 34 older adults revealed that consuming high-flavanol lead 8% increase in blood flow to the brain after one week and 10% after two weeks [10].

Other studies have hinted that a daily intake of cocoa flavanols may enhance mental performance in both people with & without mental impairments [11, 12, 13].

In addition, several other studies have found polyphenols, such as those in cocoa, can lower the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.

5. May Help Prevent Cancer

Gram for gram cocoa has the highest concentration of flavanols of all foods [14]. And flavanols are considered to possess cancer-protective abilities.

Animal studies have shown that cocoa extracts have a positive impact in decreasing prostate, breast, pancreatic, liver and colon cancer [14].

In human studies, the result on the effect of cancer is mixed. Some showed a lower risk, some increased risk while others show no effect [15, 16, 17].

So, in essence, cocoa may help prevent cancer but more research on humans is needed. 

6. May Stabilise Blood Pressure

The flavanols in cocoa are considered to help induce the production of nitric oxide in the blood, which can help stabilise blood pressure and improve blood vessels function. [18, 19].

This effect was first noted in Central America, where the cocoa-drinking island people had way lower blood pressure than their non-cocoa-drinking mainland relatives [20].

7. May Help Relief Bronchial Asthma

Cocoa is said to be beneficial for people suffering from asthma because it contains theobromine and theophylline compounds, which are considered anti-asthma compounds.

Theobromine may help with persistent coughing  and Theophylline can help the lungs dilate, airways relax and reduce inflammation [21].

In some animal studies, cocoa extract has been shown to reduce both the constriction of the airways and tissue thickness [22].

However, unfortunately, these discoveries have not yet been clinically tested on human beings 

So we don't know for sure if cocoa is safe to take with other anti-asthmatic medications. More research study in this area is required.

8. Antibacterial And Healing Properties

Because of  the therapeutic  and  wound-healing properties of cocoa, pharmaceutical companies have long been making use of cocoa extracts in manufacturing drugs.

Medical researchers consider cocoa extract as an active agent which may help prevent the growth of infectious bacteria in the body. 

9. Beneficial For Cardiovascular Health

Several studies have suggested that cocoa can help protect and improve heart health.

Besides lowering blood pressure and reducing bad LDL cholesterol, cocoa has been shown to help lower the chances of having a heart attack and stroke [23, 24, 25]. 

10. Mood Booster

Cocoa is considered a mood-booster and a stress reliever. 

One study done on pregnant woman found that frequent chocolate intake was linked to reduced stress and improved mood in babies [26].

Science aside, have you not notice a little mood-boost whenever you eat some chocolates.

11. May Relieve Constipation

Studies have shown cocoa to improve bowel functions and movement. Cocoa's therapeutic effects may help take care of digestion and bowel function issues.

12. Beneficial Tor The Skin And Teeth

Regular cocoa consuming has been shown to help in skin blood circulation, sun protection, enhance skin surface & texture, and skin hydration [27, 28. 29].

Also, many studies have shown cocoa's  antibacterial, anti-enzymatic and immune-stimulating properties may help protect oral health.

How To Use Cocoa Powder

There are several interesting ways to add  cocoa/cocoa powder in your daily diet. Some of them include:

•  Mixing cocoa powder with some milk for a delicious chocolate milkshake.
•  Adding cocoa powder into your smoothie for a healthier, richer chocolate flavour taste.
•  Sprinkling cocoa powder over your favourite fruits. it particularly goes well with bananas or strawberries.
• Mixing cocoa powder in your granola bar mixture to add more flavour and boos the nutritional profile. 
• Eating cocoa in the form of dark chocolate. (Ensure you buy only dark chocolate of high quality with at least  70% cocoa content).

Conclusion

Cocoa/ Cocoa powder is a must-have item in your home. It not only adds flavour to your meals but boasts of many nutrients and health benefits highlighted above.

And the best is that is it easy to incorporate into your everyday diet.