Hot chocolate brain circulation stimulant
Warm chocolate is perfect on cool winter evenings to keep our gray matter in shape. The American Academy of Neurology proposes eating hot chocolate as a brain circulation stimulant responsible for our cognitive performance.
Studies are still in its infancy, but it seems that the beneficial substances in chocolate could even improve the health of elderly people experiencing poor brain circulation, criminalized for many of the problems of the third age.
The brain also suffers if we have a hectic breakfast, if we eat on the road or talk on the phone, if we put it to a continuous effort, without giving it anything in return, says neurosurgeon Vlad Ciurea.
“The brain needs fresh air,healthy food, no fat, but with a good sweet, like honey. The brain likes chocolate– it needs water, but it likes the smile the most,” says the neurosurgeon, who over 50 has operated on brains.
Cacaua is the richest source of polyphenol antioxidants, with sensational protective effects. A few thousand years ago, when the cocoa was “domesticated” for the first time, people consumed it in simple, unsweetened drinks prepared with water.
Dark chocolate is currently the healthiest “sweet” that nutritionists recommend, referring to those varieties with a cocoa content of more than 70%. However, such products have an added sugar and calories that prevent us from fully enjoying the health benefits that the coffee has on us.
Guatemalans have discovered a simple and effective way to fully enjoy the therapeutic properties of cocoa powder. They drink “hot cocoa”, prepared with hot water, without milk,without sugar. The ingredients used are: 2 tablespoons cocoa, 1 cup hot water and optionally add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 teaspoons brown sugar or honey, 1 tablespoon liqueur.
Cocoa is considered the miracle of nature
According to scientists cocoa is the healthiest substance we can ingest after water. Cocoa contains more than 700 known compounds, mainly antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that plants manufacture to prevent premature destruction of their cells, caused by exposure to heat, light, air, humidity and time.
In our body, many of these compounds present in cocoa powder, prevent premature aging and diseases. Cocoa is very rich in polyphenols, a group of protective antioxidants, also found in red wine and green tea: anthocyanins, isoflavones, flavonoids, flavonols and flavones. They have a particularly beneficial influence on the cerebral cardiovascular system, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, relax blood vessels, prevent the formation of clots, having an anti-coagulant role similar to aspirin.
Even a small amount of cocoa can reduce blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Regular consumption of cocoa has proven useful in improving the overall function of veins and arteries. Warm cacaua is also a very good tonic for the psyche, wards off depression and greatly improves mood.
Hot chocolate with marshmallows
And if we’re spoiling the kids with sweets that most of that, why not prepare them for the next morning a hot chocolate? The child will cheer up and start his day full of energy!
Put in a saucepan 1 l milk, 150 ml liquid cream and 3 grated chocolates ( 300 g ). Leave on medium heat and stir continuously. When it starts to boil, we give the fire lower and leave for 1 minute. We’ll set aside the saucepan and leave it to cool. We divide it into cups, put a little whipped cream on top and shave chocolate. We serve the lukewarm chocolate with the marshmallows next door.
I also propose a “Chocolate Cake”
Ingredients for 8 servings: 1/2 butter cut into pieces ( 100 g ), 1 cube butter for grease ( 20 g), 1 1/2 dark chocolate broken pieces ( 150 g ), 6 eggs separated egg whites yolks, 1 pack hazelnuts ( 150 g ), 1 tablespoon brandy, 8 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon flour for wallpapering, 1 sachet cocoa for powdering ( 50 g ), ice cream for serving.
We heat the oven to the fourth step ( 180 degrees Celsius ). Grease a round tray with butter, preferably with a diameter of 23 cm, put baking paper and wallpaper the edges with flour. Melt the butter and chocolate in a saucepan then leave for 5 minutes to cool. We’re crushing the hazelnuts. Add hazelnuts, brandy and egg yolks to the melted chocolate.
Put the whites and a pinch of salt in a tall plastic bowl. Beat the egg whites with the blender until they harden, then gradually add the sugar and mix until we get a hard, glossy foam. Gradually incorporate the foam obtained into the chocolate mixture.
Put the mixture in the prepared tray and place it in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the dough hardens. Remove the tray from the oven and let it cool. Remove the cake from the tray and remove the baking paper. Powder the cake with cocoa and serve with ice cream. I hope you like chocolate too!