Professor Frederick K. Addai, Head of Anatomy, University of Ghana Medical School has encouraged the public to consume cocoa products because it helps prevent malaria.
According to the Professor, the consumption of cocoa kills the malaria parasites and stimulates the body system, making it work better and stronger.
Prof Addai said this in Accra, at a lecture to mark the 2018 COCOBOD Senior Staff Association (COSSA) week celebration, on the theme: “Cocoa Consumption: Business and Health Impact”.
He said Cocoa offers anti-inflammatory qualities that lower high blood pressure, adding that, flavonoid-rich cocoa aids in lowering blood pressure and improves the elasticity of blood vessels.
He said research studies revealed positive changes in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure with the consumption of cocoa-based products, as well as helps in maintaining a healthy circulatory system, instead of drinking black or green tea.
Prof Addai said because cocoa contains a lot of magnesium, it improves and helps the blood vessels to work better. It also helps in frequent urination, reducing the blood volume in the body system.
“Regular consumption of Cocoa improves eye sight and develops the brain to work well, improves female cycle, prevents diabetes, hypertension and stroke and also helps to prevent cancer from developing”, he added.
The Professor posited that the consumption of cocoa has been shown to be effective in improving insulin resistance and glucose metabolism, this, in turn, aids in regulating sugar levels in the body.
He said Cocoa had demonstrated beneficial effects in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells without affecting the growth of normal healthy cells.
Prof Addai stressed that Cocoa has also been found to be effective in maintaining good skin health, adding that, research findings suggested that the consumption of flavonol-rich cocoa products aids in enhancing skin elasticity, hydration, and density.
Mr Theodore Adu, Chairman of COSSA said the lecture was part of activities to mark this year’s COSSA week celebration to champion the consumption of cocoa products in the country.
He said as part of the activities, COSSA embarked on health walk, donated to the Ghana Heart Foundation and organised blood donation.
Mr Adu said for the country to achieve its agenda of ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’, it was necessary for all and sundry to consume more cocoa products to increase the returns of farmers.
Source: Daily Graphic
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I am a living testimony. I have been wondering why no malaria for a long time. Now I know it is the effect of the bitter cocoa (Brown Gold) I have been taking for breakfast all this while.
Very good information but, green tea and the likes tend to deal with reduction of Cholesterol in the body and so has its benefits as well. We must also be careful about the quantity of sugar we consume as it is a contributing factor to issues of diabetes and other conditions. That's why it is very good to consume our locally manufactured cocoa products. A product like Golden Tree chocolate has low sugar as compared to some imported types. COCOBOD should also make available programs that can make individuals and groups know how to process our cocoa beans into different products rather than always exporting majority of the cocoa beans. This will help reduce the unemployment rate in the country and increase our products in the foreign market as well. It could even open the door to the establishment of a regulatory body which will cater for cocoa product manufacturers i.e. if there is none already in place.
I HAVE BEEN DRINKING PURE COCOA FOR QUITE A LONG TIME AND THINK IT GIVES ME GOOD SKIN COLOUR AND RARE COLD ILLNESS
It's true...my kids consumes Ghana made cocoa product before going to school and before going to bed... They are all well built and not obes... Always very strong and active
Thats great work done. I am not a researcher but feeding my children with cocoa drink every morning for five years in ghana made them very healthy. Let this information get to parents.