A food processor, Mr Duro Kuteyi, has recommended daily intake of cocoa products to boosts cognitive function, allow blood flow and maintain healthy growth.
Kuteyi, the Chief Executive Officer of Spectra Industries Ltd., Lagos made in Ibadan on Tuesday.
He said cocoa intake would also regulate lipid metabolism apart from boosting the cognitive function in older adults and reverse early memory decline.
He said that research had proven that cocoa power was beneficial for quick relief from high blood pressure, constipation.
The food processor said that scientists considered cocoa powder as an active agent that helps to prevent the growth of infectious bacteria in the body.
He said that in the bid to improve cocoa value addition, Spectra Industry produced cocoa powder, “good for the brain and stability of blood pressure’’.
“The cocoa powder can treat diabetes, bronchial asthma, strengthen cardiovascular health and prevents cancer.
“It also maintains cholesterol level because it increases the level of healthy cholesterol in the blood which leads to diminishing risk of heart diseases.
“The powder exerts therapeutic effects helps to treat constipation complication and bowel function diseases.
“It also has prominent effects on the mood which helps to reduce stress level; it prevents fatal blood clots from blocking blood vessels which may lead to severe cardiac failure.
“The regular intake of cocoa modulates lipid metabolism to reduce the synthesis of fatty acids besides aiding in reducing obesity, the appropriate consumption improves thermogenesis-heat production mechanism in liver and white adipose tissues,” he said.
He described cocoa as one of the natural ingredients that could be used to maintain the hazardous effects of ultraviolet rays and reduce scaling and roughness of the skin.
“Studies have shown that cocoa powder inhibits the growth of cancerous cells, also protects the growth of healthy cells, the powder evidently exhibits anti-proliferative qualities to heal cancer with the help of procyanidins and flavonols.
“Particularly, it treats prostate and colon cancer with its effective healing power,” he said.
Kuteyi therefore urged citizens, families to always consume the cocoa powder because of its benefits, while promising to improve value addition of food products of the industry.
