THE MAIN REASON WHY DRINK COCOA AS A WOMAN IS THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR HEALTH

ON A CULTURAL LEVEL: IN PREHISPANIC MEXICO COCOA WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FEMININE, THE MOON, HUMIDITY, ABUNDANCE AND FERTILITY.

There aren't many things that bring me more joy than finding more scientifically proven reasons to love cocoa so much (and, let's be honest, doing the research to justify our daily consumption habits).

Today's focus is on a topic very close to my heart: women. Most significant in this research is the fact that, time and time again, we come to understand why so many of us crave chocolate during these most significant times: menstruation, pregnancy, and postpartum. Our bodies are wise and wonderful: they know what we need. Our bodies know we need the iron, happy hormones, muscle relaxers, and gentle boost of energy that cocoa, in its purest form, gives us. However, when we turn to a chocolate bar, many of these benefits are attenuated, and even nullified, by the addition of sugar and cow's milk and various emulsifiers, preservatives and additives found in regular chocolate or chocolate products. cocoa powder.

We've broken down the research into four important times in our monthly cycle and life cycle: during menstruation, while trying to conceive, during pregnancy, postpartum, and during menopause.

1. DURING MENSTRUATION

Cocoa is a total game changer for PMS. Magnesium has been dubbed the "miracle mineral for periods" and cocoa has an abundance of this natural powerhouse. Magnesium calms the nervous system and supports sleep, making it excellent for headaches and mood swings associated with PMS, and its muscle relaxing properties can help with menstrual cramps.

Cocoa is also high in iron, which helps with the production of healthy hemoglobin and red blood cells, especially beneficial in times of blood loss.

And of course, cocoa is a completely healthy way to satisfy those inevitable chocolate cravings.

2. WHILE TRYING TO CONCEIVE

Research shows that cocoa can improve fertility, thanks to its miraculous ability to improve our mood, reduce our stress and increase our intake of essential minerals – all factors commonly associated with our ability to conceive.

Cocoa contains phenylethylamine (PEA) which triggers the release of endorphins and mood-enhancing neurochemicals in the brain. These are released naturally when engaging in sexual activity or falling in love. Cocoa also contains both tryptophan and valeric acid, both known to induce relaxation and reduce stress. Additionally, cocoa is rich in magnesium, which is chronically deficient in Western diets and is commonly used as a supplement to relieve stress and improve sleep.

Cocoa is also a rich source of essential minerals (zinc, iron, calcium and manganese), important for hormonal and alkaline balance.

3. DURING PREGNANCY

The benefits of consuming moderate amounts of cocoa during pregnancy are now widely known and scientifically proven.

Most significant is cocoa's ability to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow for both baby and mother. This can largely be attributed to the main stimulant in cocoa: theobromine, which is a vasodilator. Vasodilators dilate our blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely throughout the body.

Cocoa also provides a significant dose of the iron you need during pregnancy and a substantial amount of antioxidants (40 times the amount by weight of blueberries!). But keep in mind: calcium reduces iron absorption, so we do not recommend mixing your cocoa with cow's milk.

4. AFTER BIRTH (POST-PARTUM)

Cacao was used in traditional indigenous cultures by mothers to regain strength after giving birth.

The natural antidepressant effects of cocoa can help against postpartum depression. This is related to the production of dopamine, serotonin, anandamide (the “happiness” molecule), and PEA (as mentioned above).

Theobromine, the stimulant in cocoa, can provide a mild, energizing boost that does not cause the potential agitation for mother and child that coffee would cause.

A lower dose is generally recommended, and we always recommend speaking with a health professional if you have any specific questions or concerns about cocoa.

5. DURING MENOPAUSE

As in the other phases mentioned, all the benefits related to improving and balancing our mood, relieving stress, increasing energy, improving sleep and infusing essential minerals are of course , relevant here.

Additionally, a recent study of menopausal women showed that when consumed first thing in the morning, cocoa increased fat burning and helped women maintain or lose weight.

Additionally, because estrogen has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, menopausal women have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Cocoa has a well-researched impact on cardiovascular health, which is largely related to cocoa flavonoids: a type of heart-healthy antioxidant that fights free radicals.

And finally, cocoa flavanols also have the potential to accumulate in the brain and improve cognitive function, reduce brain fog, and combat the onset of Alzheimer's.