Cocoa's magic to happiness and calm

Who doesn’t like chocolate? This delicious bean - yes it’s a bean just like coffee - has so many beneficial properties that is not surprising the Maya revered it. They added it to practically every meal. It had a divine kind of allure as it was believed to possess magical properties. The Mayas had already discovered that chocolate was affecting mood in a positive way. So it comes with no surprises that it was and still is considered a superfood. 

It is rich in very powerful antioxidants called polyphenols (also found in red wine and berries) that have strong anti inflammatory properties, help improve blood flow lowering blood pressure, blood sugar levels as well as cholesterol. Particularly, a type of polyphenols, known as flavonols is responsible for improving nitric oxide levels in the blood which relaxes blood vessels improving blood circulation lowering blood pressure and enhancing fitness performance.

A superfood Cocoa stimulates serotonin and help fight off depression.

How does cocoa actually work on the brain?

The answer is tryptophan. In fact, it is the presence of this amino acid, which can be found even in small quantities of chocolate, that helps the brain synthesize the neurotransmitter serotonin, a natural mood stabilizer that communicates directly to brain cells by lowering anxiety and even fighting off depression. In fact, higher levels of the compound tryptophan are associated with a sense of happiness and calm. 

There is more. Thanks to the presence of another amino acid called tyrosine, which creates a chemical compound called tyramine, chocolate also affects the brain’s ability to release dopamine responsible for both the brain's pleasure and reward centers. As the level of tyrosine increases so does the level of dopamine and our level of happiness.

So now you know why you always look for that piece of chocolate in your kitchen cupboard: you are not imagining anything, it really does make you feel happier and more relaxed.

And that’s why, at least twice a week, I opt for Human Improvement chocolate protein power that not only gives me energy but also boosts my mood and for a calming adaptogen filled latte with cacao and ashwagandha.

Try it and let us know how you feel!