Herbs And Botanicals Extracts In Anti-Aging Cream -
Cocoa Extract
Cocoa extract can have potent antioxidant properties.
source: http://beauty-secrets4u.com
Anti aging cocoa has definitely converted me from being a confirmed ‘milk chocolate’ chocoholic to someone who prefers dark chocolate, and I didn’t think anything on this earth would convince me to stop eating milk chocolate.
Since an early age I have loved the smooth, velvety taste of chocolate melting on my tongue so discovering that cocoa and dark chocolate are actually good for you and have anti aging properties as well was nothing short of a miracle to me.
Recent revelations about dark chocolate and anti aging cocoa prompted my naturally inquisitive mind to explore the anti aging possibilities and I have found that you can eat it, drink it and massage it into your skin as an anti aging cream, lotion or oil.
For chocolate lovers the world over, discovering that cocoa and dark chocolate can actually slow down the aging process and help to prevent the onset of age related diseases must surly be music to your ears. Have we at last found the elusive chocolate Fountain of Youth?
Anti aging cocoais packed full of antioxidants and Phytochemicals known as Flavanols which help to protect your skin and increase blood flow, this makes your skin look more refreshed and smooth.
Cocoa also helps to prevent clotting by making blood platelets less sticky and it also has a positive effect on bad cholesterol, helps muscles recover from exercise, improves skin, provides antioxidants and even gives us a thrill that rivals a passionate kiss. The antioxidant effect of cocoa also helps to reduce inflammation which in most cases is believed to be the root cause of many age related diseases.
Phytochemicals in cocoa, known as flavanols, are also present in chocolate, fruits and vegetables and can boost the levels of nitric oxide in the blood of smokers and reverse some of the smoking-related damage to blood vessel function and ward off artery hardening.
So the good news is, as anti aging foods, cocoa and chocolate may contribute to a healthy, well-balanced diet if used in moderation. And that is the key. Don’t forget the high calorie content and limit yourself to 30 calories a day. Apparently you only need a small daily amount to gain anti aging and health benefits.
For example, a 1.4-ounce milk chocolate bar contains more than 300 milligrams of polyphenols; dark chocolate has more than double that (which is more than a glass of red wine) and cocoa powder has four times that.
Hot cocoa made as a drink with 100% cocoa solids will deliver a maximum dose of valuable antioxidants. It’s best made without milk because apparently milk inhibits the body’s ability to absorb the antioxidants properly.
Recently, British researchers reported finding that some people even get more of a buzz from eating dark chocolate than from a passionate kiss!
“The researchers put electrodes on young couples in their 20s and tested their heart rate and brain activity while eating dark chocolate and then while kissing their sweeties,” says Largeman-Roth.
“Surprisingly, heart rate and brain activity both increased far more with the chocolate than with the kissing. And actually, all areas of the brain were stimulated when the chocolate melted on their tongues. Kissing did increase the heart rate, but not for as long.”
As far as I’m concerned that’s another good reason for switching to dark chocolate.