Chocolate is basically made up of pure cocoa and is perhaps the most consumed sweet in the world. Eating it will not only delight your palate, it has a number of properties that are good for your health. In this post we will talk about the benefits of chocolate tea , ingredients and side effects.
Chocolate is divided into 3 types: dark, milk and white. The first is made up of cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, sugar, lecithin and vanilla. Milk chocolate includes the mentioned ingredients and, in addition, milk fat. Now, white chocolate contains the ingredients of dark chocolate, not including the liquor.
In these 3 types of chocolate the grades are included: sugar free, semi sweet, bittersweet and black milk chocolate. The type of chocolate is also determined according to the ingredients it contains, the percentage of cocoa, the origin of its beans and the way it is prepared.
Chocolate Tea Benefits
Since ancient times it has been associated with properties benefits of chocolate, which leans more to the therapeutic than to the food. Let’s see the main benefits of chocolate tea .
protects the heart
The phytonutrients contained in cocoa beans act as antioxidants, benefiting health. It is also a rich source of iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus. Certain studies show that the consumption of chocolate tea Avoid heart problems and reduce the probability of cardiovascular accidents.
Maintains cognitive functions
Certain studies show that consuming chocolate could prevent the deterioration of cognitive abilities in older people, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Reduce bad cholesterol
Chocolate tea could help reduce bad cholesterol (LDL). In research carried out at cocoa It was determined that by containing plant sterols and flavanols they could help cardiovascular health and improve blood pressure.
Improves mood
There are several mood-boosting ingredients, including magnesium, phenylethylamine (a substance that increases mood and optimism), blueberry, and anti-anxiety sugar.
When sweet and fatty are combined, dopamine is activated, generating a positive effect on the brain. In addition, the taste of chocolate stimulates the hypothalamus to produce endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that inhibit anxiety and stress, raising the feeling of happiness.
Increases energy and improves performance
Another of the benefits of drinking chocolate tea is the improvement of muscle capillaries, especially in the arms and legs. These capillaries are the ones that are responsible for transferring oxygen to the muscles. In addition, the high cocoa content increases the amount of energy, this is because it accumulates in the mitochondria and muscles.
As it contains epicatechin, it becomes another of the benefits of chocolate tea, because it raises nitric oxide levels in the blood, allowing the amount of oxygen an athlete consumes to be minimized while doing moderate-intensity exercises.
High nutritional content
When chocolate has a high cocoa content (75 to 80%) it makes it a very nutritious food. By eating a 100-gram chocolate bar, you get a sufficient intake of magnesium and iron, as well as others such as: zinc, iron, selenium and potassium.
benefits of chocolate tea Recipes
Let’s see some recipes that include chocolate tea.
Chocolate tea with ginger and nutmeg
To continue enjoying the benefits of chocolate tea, learn how to make this simple recipe.
Ingredients:
- A cup of water.
- A cup of semi-skimmed milk.
- Two tea bags.
- w/n nutmeg.
- A tablespoon of chocolate syrup.
- w/n of ground cinnamon.
- w/ ground ginger.
Method of preparation:
- In a small pot, heat the milk and water.
- As soon as it starts to boil, turn off the heat and add the tea bags.
- Let infuse for 5 minutes.
- Remove the bags.
- Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Sweeten with honey.
rue tea with chocolate
This drink is excellent to drink in winter when we get home, because it invites us to rest and be relaxed. One of the benefits of rue tea with chocolate is that it reduces menstrual symptoms and irritability. Its preparation is very simple.
- In a pot, put 10 rue leaves, a liter of water and dark chocolate (bar, powder or whole).
- The rue can be added at the end and let it infuse for 5 minutes.
- Choose a chocolate without milk and without any additives.
- Strain and drink.
Being an emmenagogue, rue serves to reduce menstrual discomfort and is even a natural antidepressant. It is also effective in case of absence of menstruation (amenorrhea) and favors childbirth.
Chocolate Tea Side Effects
Because it contains caffeine, excessive intake can cause drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, urination, diarrhea, and anxiety disorder. If it is consumed a lot during lactation, it would cause lack of sleep and stomach problems in the baby.
On the other hand, in some people sensitive to cocoa it could cause allergic reactions, with symptoms accompanied by: gas, migraine, headache, nausea, digestive upset and skin reactions.
Even the cocoa present in chocolate tea could reduce the absorption of contraceptives, antifungals, antibiotics and antiulcers. With the chocolate that you have to be careful is the one that has sugar and a lot of cocoa, because of the saturated fat and sugars it contains. Therefore, it is not recommended in people who suffer from diabetes, obesity, liver or who have digestive problems.