Cacao seeds are from the botanical cacao tree called the Theobroma cacao. Granola is a snack or a breakfast meal that is made from a mixture of numerous ingredients that involve berries, nuts, honey, oats and any available sweeteners such as brown sugar. There are different ways to make this type of granola since different people incorporate different things, like the addition of fruits, organic oil or flavouring such as vanilla. Cocoa granola is made from these seeds that are known to be rich in the compound potassium which gives it its benefits. Discussed are the benefits of cacao granola.
Presence of Antioxidants
Cacao is rich in antioxidants that have a health benefit to a person who regularly takes this recipe of granola. Antioxidants present in the cacao seeds have properties of anti-inflammatory that help with certain allergies and inflammations. Cacao powder added in granola has also been seen to neutralize the inflammations due to this anti-inflammatory property they pose.
Brain and Mental health
Cacao has been seen to stimulate the brain to increase its production of the hormone serotonin. A person who has low levels of serotonin is often depressed and has terrible mood swings. On the other hand, having a relative moderate production of serotonin by the brain, it stimulates some neurotransmitters that result in increased positive moods and destroys the effects that depression can cause to a person. Serotonin is known to calm down a person and therefore maintains good positive moods. In addition, cacao has been shown to improve the blood flow in the brain of a person improving the brains activity and hence protein majority of the brain cells.
Improves Heart Health
When cacao seeds are added to granola, they boost the potassium levels since they are known to be rich in potassium. Potassium is known to reduce the risk of heart disorders and the occurrence of heart conditions in elder people. Cacao does this by ensuring that the heart muscles and cells are relaxed and thus lowering blood pressure. Maintained blood pressure levels at all time prevents the risk of stroke or heart attack. This is also due to the low cholesterol levels cacao has ensured that the health of the heart is assured.
Conclusion
Cacao nibs or cacao powder that is added to granola as an add-on most of the time does not need a lot of add-ons. Once sweeteners are added the cacao granola can be baked to make a healthy nutritive meal taken for breakfast along with milk or yoghurt or taken as a snack.
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