A cup of hot chocolate warms when its cold outside, and raises your mood, when the lack of sunlight in the body decreases a good mood vitamin D. The hot chocolate is probably most reminiscent of childhood tastes, which pleased once again to feel and adulthood. The only difference is that adults pay more attention to the quality of chocolate, hot chocolate presentation elegant glass or porcelain cups used spices, fresh berries, fruit pieces and other accessories.
Cocoa powder - a great source of antioxidants flavonoid enriched. Antioxidants very important to human health. It is a natural chemical compounds that help neutralize harmful free radicals. Free radicals - substances which occur naturally in the body and attacks the fats, proteins and DNA of the cells. They can cause various, different diseases and to speed up the human body's aging process.
Hot chocolate more antioxidants than red wine and no alcohol, the negative effects on the body are scientifically tested, and its use is more recommended. Cornell University researchers have found that cocoa concentrate is about 2 - 3 times stronger than green tea and 4 - 5 - than the black tea.
Drink hot chocolate made from unsweetened dark chocolate can be very healthy. Harvard Medical School analyzed 21 study, which involved over 2,500 volunteers, and concluded that chocolate can lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular condition, reduce 'bad' cholesterol and increase "good" cholesterol in the blood. Previous studies have also shown that chocolate can reduce heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer risk.
One teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder is rich in minerals 3 - 9% of the recommended daily iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc rates. Iron not only carry oxygen, but it is for red blood cells, strengthens the immune system. Manganese - component of the enzyme, forming the cartilage and bones, helps absorb nutrients and function as antioxidants in every body cell. Magnesium provides energy and helps to maintain a normal heart rhythm. Zinc is vital for the formation of new cells, including immune cells. In zinc bacteria fighting cells disappear and the human body becomes more prone to various infections.
Cocoa is still phenylethylamine - is a neurotransmitter in the brain, which elevates mood and acts as a natural antidepressant. University of Michigan Health Systems researchers argue that cocoa stimulates endorphins or hormones of happiness, as well as a sport, laughter, sex or winning the lottery. Moreover, cocoa and promote serotonin release - this is a neurotransmitter that acts as an antidepressant and a matter of common happiness.
3 tips on how to make hot chocolate healthier:
Use vegetable milk. Coconut, almond or other nut milk contains fewer calories than the same amount of skim milk cows. Vegetable milk is naturally slightly creamy consistency, which can not be said of the skimmed milk. Vegetable milk is also rich in antioxidants.
Use natural and organic cocoa powder. Shopping centers are mainly sold hot chocolate mixes made from cocoa processed with alkali products. Recycling reduces the natural acidity of the cocoa and antioxidant levels. In the wild cocoa is 10 times more antioxidants than processed. Natural cocoa is slightly bitter taste, to which it takes time to get used to. However, other time have become accustomed to drink more bothered to.
Use natural sweeteners. Mostly hot chocolate sweetened with refined sugar, corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. However, the healthier it is sweetened with honey, cane molasses or maple syrup. Unlike sugar, honey has antioxidant, bacteria, viruses and destructive inflammation-reducing substances. Unrefined cane sugar, maple syrup and silt materials useful little more than refined, but most of them black cane molasses.
Mexican hot chocolate
150 g dark chocolate
600 ml of milk
2 eggs
80 g brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
A teaspoon of vanilla sugar
Salt to taste
manufacturing
Milk good warming up, but don't boil it and put finely broken chocolate and cinnamon sticks. When heated over low heat stirring until chocolate is completely melted. Add sugar and a pinch of salt, stir and simmer for a few minutes, but again don't boil. Punch in the eggs and stir quickly. Drain the hot chocolate that is not solid chocolate pieces. WEIGHT whisk. Pour into glasses or cups and serve with the cinnamon sticks.
Enjoy. :)