sPOTLIGHT iNGREDIENTS: cHOCOLATE
The cacao tree (Theobroma cacao – ‘food of the gods’) is native to tropical America and can grow up to about 30-feet tall. The fruits produced are ripe, dark reddish-brown pods, which yield 20-50 seeds, which are known as cocoa beans.
Chocolate is made by fermenting these seeds to remove their bitter taste. They are then cleaned, sorted, roasted and cracked to remove their hard shells, resulting in ‘cocoa nibs’. These ‘cocoa nibs’ are ground into a thick, oily paste called chocolate liquor, which is then blended to the desired consistency of the chocolate manufacturer.
The fat removed from the chocolate liquor is called cocoa butter. With the fat separated, the remaining liquor becomes cocoa powder, which can be mixed with other ingredients to make confections and drinks.
Cocoa powder contains a residue of cocoa butter, giving it a soft texture. It is rich in antioxidant polyphenol (flavonoid) content; higher than in some fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants are wonderful for your skin because they absorb free radicals, which cause cell and tissue damage and can lead to premature aging.
Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a chemical our brain manufactures when we are happy or in love.
Cocoa is rich in magnesium; a mineral that helps to combat hair loss. It increases blood circulation to the scalp, which leads to better hair growth and gorgeous tresses. It is known to give the hair sheen and with all the anti- inflammatory properties, it can minimize the chances of scalp infections. Dark chocolate is full of minerals that aid in cell renewal like iron, copper and zinc.
Cocoa also contains one of the highest levels of antioxidants than many other sources on Earth, which is also really great for your skin. It can add vibrancy, shine, volume and promote healthy hair growth. Cocoa also contains beneficial nutrients for your hair such as protein, riboflavin, vitamin A and thiamine. If used consistently over time, the cocoa powder can darken the hair strands.
Chocolate is made from cacao beans which are rich in phenols and flavonoids. Chocolate also contains essential trace elements, minerals, and vitamins such as iron, calcium, potassium, vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E, as well as many other nutrients. Cocoa powder is the highest known natural source of magnesium. This makes cocoa the highest known source of antioxidants in the world. There are over 25,200 antioxidants in one small spoonful of raw chocolate powder!
BENEFITS OF CHOCOLATE IN SKINCARE
Cocoa are used in a number of skincare products including body butters, scrubs, body polishing kits & moisture bars. Dark chocolate is especially rich in antioxidants & can help to keep your skin firm, resilient & smooth as you get older.
Dark chocolate is especially rich in antioxidants & can help to keep your skin firm, resilient & smooth as you get older.
Chocolate comes from the bean of cacao fruit. Cacao beans have been used medicinally for thousands of years. Fresh cacao beans are super-rich in antioxidants — molecules that protect skin from environmental damage — containing 10,000 milligrams of flavanol antioxidants for every 100 grams of cacao. Compared to other foods, they’re among the best sources of antioxidants
Some of the key benefits of chocolate in skincare products & body treatments include: Nourishes & softens dry skin, Acts as a moisturizer as it contains coco butter, is full of antioxidants help reduce free radical damage, Smooths wrinkles & make skin more supple & smooth, calms & heals irritated skin, promotes healthy detoxification of new skin cells, rejuvanates skin from the inside out and increases circulation to the skin.
If you like to get mud baths & body treatments at a local spa, keep your eyes peeled for chocolate based treatments that will leave your skin glowing from the inside out. If you get a chocolate body wrap, the treatment may consist of an oil-based body scrub, application of a chocolate cream moisturizer, a thermal wrap to detoxify the body, & a relaxing message using chocolate cream. Chocolate body wraps will hydrate the skin & also promote the detoxification process. This can result in reduced water retention & tighter more toned skin
Chocolate’s antioxidant properties make this ingredient a must have addition to your fall and winter skincare routine, so consider using a chocolate body butter, shower gel or body scrub this season to treat your skin to a decadent pampering session. If you’ve never tried chocolate-based body products, get ready because we have a brand new chocolate product line coming that will allow you to enjoy all of the sweet skin benefits of the wonderful Chocolate!!!!
THE BENEFITS OF CHOCOLATE IN HAIRCARE
Applying chocolate to the hair also increases blood circulation to the scalp, which can encourage your follicles to grow stronger and longer hair while similarly combating hair loss. Those incredible anti-inflammatory properties also help to soothe the scalp and protect it against infection.
Cocoa can reduce blood pressure and improve our cholesterol levels but did you know it can actually help address our hair loss issues? Cocoa is rich in magnesium*; a mineral that helps to combat hair loss.
It increases blood circulation to the scalp, which leads to better hair growth and gorgeous tresses. It is known to give the hair sheen and with all the anti-inflammatory properties, it can minimize the chances of scalp infections. Dark chocolate is full of minerals that aid in cell renewal like iron*, copper* and zinc*.
- Danielle Lasit