Cocoa means different things to many consumers. To some it may mean chocolate while to others it could be a chilled or hot beverage that contains some amount of cocoa.

Chocolate production is one main utilization channels for the cocoa bean. However in addition to this several other products such as chocolate spread, dragees and drinking chocolates can be manufactured from cocoa.

Cocoa generally may be used to describe the natural cocoa powder also obtained from the cocoa bean.

Natural cocoa powder is an unsweetened semifinished product of the cocoa bean that can be consumed with only water or added to other ingredients to develop several other confectionery products.

Chocolate cakes, chocolate ice creams and chocolate toppings are all made from cocoa.

Cocoa provides many nutritional and health benefits to consumers. Below are a few examples.

• Cocoa powder helps reduce inflammation and protects the body from diseases such as cancer and coronary diseases due to its high content of theobromine
• Dark chocolate improves heart health due to its antioxidants content which reduces the risk of blood clotting and increases blood circulation in the body.
• Cocoa/Chocolate consumption improves the skin tone by fighting skin discoloration, helps fight -off infections and prevent wrinkle-causing free radicals.

Finally, chocolate helps prevent depressive feelings and elevates moods by producing the happy-feeling hormones.

Improving skin, heart and mental health can come easy with cocoa consumption. A more reason to make it a part of your everyday diet.