I have to confess, I am a cocoa addict. Yes, cocoa, not chocolate. While I do love a good, dark chocolate bar, it is really the cocoa that I am drawn to.

Cocoa, and the many products that come from this health-giving superfood, have been a staple in my home for a few years. Not the commercial brands of chocolates, candy and hot chocolate, which have too much refined sugars, saturated fat, chemicals, and artificial additives, but dark chocolate — as opposed to milk and white chocolate — cocoa powder and cocoa nibs in their natural and organic state.

This dark, rich and intensely flavourful food evokes much passion as a decadent treat in many cultures. It is widely believed that consuming dark, natural cocoa products can instil health, longevity, strength, and sexual passion.

Chocolate comes from the cocoa tree pod, and is commonly used in Jamaica for chocolate tea. The cocoa seeds or beans are used for making chocolates, cocoa powder, chocolate tea, cocoa butter, and are also commonly used in baked goods and drinking products.

ORIGIN OF COCOA

Discovered over 2000 years ago, it was referred to as the ‘food of the gods’ by the Aztecs for whom it represented power, health and wisdom. In fact, the cocoa seeds had so much value, they were used as a form of currency.

The Mayan mixed cocoa seeds with other herbs and seasonings to make a bitter spicy health elixir. The Mayans believed that cocoa symbolised health and fertility.

ANTIOXIDANT-RICH

Cocoa is one of the foods with the highest amounts of antioxidants and bio-available minerals. We need antioxidants to help free the body of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to cells. Free radicals are linked to the ageing process and may be a cause of cancer. Therefore, eating antioxidant-rich foods such as dark chocolate can protect you from many types of cancer and even slow the signs of ageing.

Minerals such as magnesium, potassium and copper, which are found in high concentrations in dark chocolate, help to prevent type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Research by large chocolate manufacturers suggest that one can live and survive on eating dark chocolate alone, because it has many known (and unknown) health benefits to the human body.

BENEFITS OF COCOA OR DARK CHOCOLATE

Research in 2010 by Cambridge University in the United Kingdom showed that eating dark chocolate, which is 60-100% cocoa, reduces one’s chances of suffering from a stroke.

Dark chocolate contains healthful antioxidants similar to those found in tea, red wine, fruits, and vegetables.

Chocolate is also known as the food of love. It evokes feel-good and confident emotions in us that can make us more romantic, earning it the reputation as an aphrodisiac.

HOW TO INCLUDE DARK CHOCOLATE IN YOUR DIET

*Eat it in its 60-100% dark chocolate bar form

*Using natural cocoa powder or nibs: blend in a smoothie, make hot chocolate or make raw delicious non-bake treats

RECOMMENDATIONS

My favourite local and organic cocoa comes from Mount Pleasant Chocolatiers who specialise in a wide variety of chocolate products, from bars, spreads, powder, nibs, wine, and body care butters and scrubs. So, chocolate does not only work wonders for your palette but your health, skin and beauty too.

Mount Pleasant Chocolatiers products are currently available from: Coconut Industry Board; RADA, Old Hope Road; Dvine Living Essentials, Montego Bay; The Wine Shop; Adam and Eve Day Spa; Strawberry Hill Hotel and Spa; Earth Elements; and Beautiful Earth Hair Haven.

Bena Nakawuki is an internationally trained and certified raw food teacher, wellness coach and editor. She is currently the only certified member of the International Association of Raw Food Coaches and Teachers in Jamaica. She is the owner of The Lotus Line and may be contacted at TheLotusLine@gmail.com, www.facebook.com – The Lotus Line of Natural Health Products and Services, and twitter.com/TheLotusLine.