Benefits
Not only is coffee a drink that helps keep you up every morning, coffee when combined with unsweetened cocoa powder is becoming a drink that brings many health benefits. Especially for people with diabetes or those who are interested in physical and mental health.
Kanikka Malhotra - a nutrition consultant and diabetes educator certified in India - said: " Adding unsweetened cocoa powder to coffee is a smart and delicious way to increase alertness, especially if you are controlling diabetes".
According to Ms. Malhotra, flavanol in cocoa has the ability to improve insulin sensitivity, thereby helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. This is a key factor for diabetics. At the same time, because it does not contain added sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder helps users avoid dangerous blood sugar spikes.
Dual impact on the body and mind
Dr Narander Singla, consultant internist at CK Birla Hospital (Delhi), commented that coffee and cocoa are two ingredients rich in compounds that are beneficial for metabolism, cognition and emotions.
Caffeine in coffee is famous for stimulating the central nervous system, increasing alertness and improving work performance.
Meanwhile, polyphenols from cocoa powder boost metabolism and weight control.
When combined, they support cognitive function. Caffeine helps increase concentration, while flavonoids in cocoa improve blood flow to the brain, especially useful when you are tired, says Dr. Singla.
In addition, cocoa also contains natural compounds such as theobromine and phenylethylamine, which have been shown to improve mood and reduce stress. This is why many people feel comfortable after a rich cup of mocha in the morning.
Simple but effective way to use
To get the most out of the benefits, Kanikka Malhotra recommends that users should choose sugar-free natural cocoa powder, avoid processing because it can reduce flavonoid content.
"Just stir a small spoonful into a cup of hot coffee. If you need more milk, take unsweetened or nonfat nut milk, suggests Malhotra.
Most importantly, users should avoid added sugar, ice cream and drinks, because these ingredients can reduce the positive effects of this mixture, especially for people who are controlling their weight or blood sugar levels.
