The name Cacau is derived from the Latin Theobroma which means “food of the gods”. It is a evergreen fruit tree, native to the American rainforest (Central and South America), with its main origin in the headwaters of the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. The cocoa seed is rich in substances such as polyphenols and flavonoids that have a probable antioxidant effect on our body, therefore, it prevents premature aging and the appearance of some diseases. Observing several studies, the cocoa seed has a great antioxidant power among all foods. Recent research by "Sansone et al" published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" shows that daily consumption of 450mg of cocoa flavonoids was able to improve the endothelial function in patients at risk for cardiovascular diseases, in addition to minimizing the percentage of cardiovascular events within a 10-year period. It is worth mentioning that the benefits are not related to the consumption of processed chocolate in general, but rather to the consumption of "in natura" cocoa. You can also complement your intermediate snacks by adding them in fruits and yoghurts. Thus, cocoa powder helps to break the monotony of food, giving much more flavor to your day!
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