10 Benefits of Cocoa Powder
Cocoa Powder Benefit #8: Improves Gut Health
Digestive health can greatly benefit from the addition of cocoa. The flavanols found in cocoa are considered prebiotics once they are ingested. Prebiotics promote digestive health by keeping gut bacteria balanced. One study suggests that drinking antioxidant-rich cocoa daily increases the levels of protective gut bacteria in the stomach.
One study explained that the small intestine and the stomach break down cocoa to absorb the flavanols. The leftover, undigested cocoa matter is then broken down by the gut bacteria in the colon. It travels as metabolites in the bloodstream, fighting inflammation. The rest of the cocoa matter is mostly fiber, which is fermented in the gut, releasing substances that help with cholesterol. In this study, the number of gut bacteria increased significantly after the digestion of cocoa.
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