Cocoa beans are a nutritional bomb: they contain magnesium for muscles and potassium for blood pressure

When I think back to my childhood, I remember the smell of cocoa, which I adored. But as I grew up, I neglected it and associated it more with children. In recent years, however, I have been returning to it more and more often. Not only for the taste and nostalgic memories, but also for the health benefits.

For most of my life, I have associated cocoa with the hot beverage or powder added to food. These variants are the most common, but the cocoa bean itself can also be used. Cocoa beans are recommended as a healthy dietary supplement that can be included in breakfast for its nutritional benefits. Let’s take a closer look at what their effect is.

When you eat a proper nutritional bomb

When I say the word superfood, various examples come to mind, but I probably wouldn’t immediately include cocoa beans. And that’s a major mistake. They can be very nutritious and healthy if you start adding them to your porridge. I’ve learned many times that what doesn’t look beneficial and interesting at first glance, ends up hiding the greatest treasure.

The same is true for cocoa beans, which are packed with many healthy ingredients. They contain a high value of magnesium, which is essential for building and functioning muscles, while also supporting heart health. Potassium, which affects blood pressure and is important for the transmission of signals in nerve and muscle cells, is higher in potassium. Other valuable components include calcium, which supports bones and teeth, and iron, which is crucial for red blood cell production and oxygen transport in the body.

Flavonols, which are highly effective antioxidants, also play an important role. They ensure several processes in the body, such as regulating cholesterol levels or protecting against arteriosclerosis, while also helping to reduce the risk of stroke and cancer. Well, that’s a nice nutritional composition.

Cocoa beans and oatmeal? An unexpectedly good combination

If you like to eat porridge for breakfast, try enriching it with cocoa beans. You will create a powerful combination as you will be eating a breakfast that is rich in fibre, protein and healthy carbohydrates. Use raw and unprocessed beans, which are available whole or ground. It is important that they are not roasted, as roasting loses their valuable nutrients.

The taste of cocoa beans is quite bitter, but this is balanced by the sweetness of the oats. When preparing, use almond or oat milk to encourage the best absorption of nutrients. Once you have prepared the porridge base as you are used to, add two tablespoons of ground or whole cocoa beans per 100 grams of porridge. Mix and leave in the fridge overnight.

As someone who is not used to eating breakfast, I had a hard time consuming one ingredient regularly. At the same time, I hate established routines and seek out change. Fortunately, porridge can be prepared in different forms to suit your taste. Bananas, blueberries and other fruits are such an obvious choice. If you are also one of those individuals who have not yet found porridge to your liking, try thinking about what foods you love and simply add them to your porridge.