As if we need another excuse to eat chocolate, we’re here giving you three reasons why cocoa may boost your mood, plus three ways to get cocoa into your diet that will take healthy desserts to a whole new level.
Let’s take a look at why cocoa is excellent for health and mood and why you may want to consider adding more to your diet.
Cocoa For Overall Health & Mood
Raw Cacao to Promote a Sense of Calm: If you’re looking for a food to help you wind down from your busy day, look no further than cocoa. Cocoa has been found to help promote a sense of calm and make those consuming it feel more content. (1)
The Link Between Cacao & Anxiety: The polyphenol content of cocoa is thought to play a positive role in mood and researchers are examining if these polyphenols would be beneficial for those with anxiety and depression. (2) Here’s just one more reason to enjoy your daily chocolate fix!
Cocoa For Cognitive Performance: Some studies have found cocoa to benefit cognitive performance in those with mild cognitive impairment. (3)
Getting the Right Kind of Chocolate
It’s important to note that not all chocolate is going to hold these mood-boosting properties. You want to purchase the highest-quality darkest chocolate you can without all the added sugar. This is because dark chocolate is what contains the higher percentage of cocoa, which is what holds these mood-boosting properties.
As a general rule of thumb, stick to dark chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa
How to Get Cocoa into Your Diet
Ready to start eating more chocolate? Here are three ways to get cocoa into your diet.
1. Make a banana cocoa milkshake with raw unsweetened cocoa powder, a frozen banana, unsweetened almond milk, and raw cocoa nibs. Add a serving of Dr. Vim’s Magnificent Mushrooms Brain Blend for an added boost.
2. Make a chia pudding and sprinkle with raw cocoa nibs.
3. Swap out chocolate chips for raw cocoa nibs in your favorite baking recipes.
Let Chocolate Boost Your Mood
If you’re looking for a mood-boosting food, consider adding cocoa to your diet. Just remember to stick to at least 70% or darker dark chocolate, and consider pairing it with Dr. Vim’s Magnificent Mushrooms Brain Blend for an added cognitive and mood boost.