You might not have realised, but probably you would have eaten cocoa butter several times and also applied it on your skin. Cocoa butter is a basic ingredient in many foods as well as cosmetic skin products. Cocoa butter is simply too popular owing to its nutritional value and various health benefits. Extracted as a meltable oil from cocoa bean, cocoa butter has much more benefits than its alluring taste and smooth texture.
Surprising Benefits of Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is a vegetable fat that is extracted and removed from cocoa beans. It is a popular ingredient used worldwide in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, confectionaries, baked foods, and chocolates. There are several surprising health benefits of Cocoa butter, some of which are listed below
1} Anti-aging properties
One of the most precious health benefits of cocoa butter is its anti-aging properties. It is rich in anti-oxidants like stearic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid. These are technically fatty acid molecules that neutralise free radicals in the body and prevent oxidative stress that can cause signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.
2} Reduces inflammation
Cocoa butter is packed with healthy fatty acids and anti-oxidants that help reduce inflammation of the skin such as rashes, eczema, pimples, and psoriasis. Cocoa butter along with its sweet aroma provides quick relief to inflamed regions of the body.
3} Helps in healthy weight gain
For those suffering from eating disorders like anorexia, cocoa butter is a wonderful remedy. Eating healthy fat will cause healthy weight gain and cure these eating disorders. Incorporating cocoa butter in your regular diet, you can gain an ideal weight to stay healthy.
4} Rich source of vitamins and minerals
It is important to eat a balanced diet to stay fit and healthy. One of the best ways to maintain a balanced diet is to consume cocoa butter or add them to your cooking dishes. Cocoa butter is rich in all the essential vitamins and minerals to keep the body healthy.
5} Rich source of energy
You may be surprised to know that cocoa butter increases stamina and energy levels. Cocoa butter is rich in healthy fats and keep you full for a longer period of time. The body slowly burns the fat and releases the energy slowly. This increases energy levels and help the body stay active for a longer time.
6} Regulates mood swings
Who would have imagined a connection between cocoa butter and mood swings? Yes cocoa butter is an incredible way to balance mood swings caused due to hormonal imbalances. It increases the levels of serotonin in the body thereby calming the mind and reducing the ill effects of hormonal balance.
7} Good oral hygiene
One of the age old methods to clear the mouth from harmful toxins and bacteria is oil pulling. In the same way, cocoa butter can be melted into oil and used in the process of oil pulling. It helps eliminate harmful bacteria from the mouth and keep it clean. All you need to do is melt a teaspoon of cocoa butter and use it like a mouth wash every morning.
8} Removes stretch marks
Cocoa butter is a commonly advised ingredient to be used during pregnancy. Cocoa butter along with coconut oil is one of the great ways to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and also prevent them from recurring. The healthy fats present in cocoa butter work help tighten and restore the elasticity of the skin.
9} Moisturises the lips
Our lips are the only part of the body that does not have the capability to self-moisturise. As a result, our lips always get dry and crack easily. Cocoa butter is a commonly used ingredient in most lip balms and lipsticks. The reason being cocoa butter has extensive moisturising properties that restore the moisture of the lips and keep it soft.
10} Shaving soap
The shaving soaps and creams available in the market are extremely harmful as they contain unsafe chemicals in it. One of the most natural shaving soaps that one can use is cocoa butter. Due to its creamy texture, cocoa butter is also added in many lotions and creams. It serves to be a perfect shaving soap or foam for both men and women. This simple ingredient has high nutritive value as well as save you money.
11} Reduces constipation
You may be surprised to know that cocoa butter plays a great role in improving digestion and bowel movement. The healthy fats in cocoa butter help ease constipation and increases bowel movement. Cocoa butter has been medically recommended to those suffering from chronic constipation and sensory processing issues.
In a nutshell, cocoa butter is very beneficial for the hair, skin, dental hygiene and overall health. Cocoa butter is readily available in all commercial stores. Take care to buy the pure form rather than adulterated form. You can also choose to use cocoa based cosmetics if you are comfortable with them. If you haven’t started using cocoa butter yet, then its time to bring home some.
References
https://draxe.com/cocoa-butter/
http://www.naturallivingideas.com/13-amazing-benefits-cocoa-butter/
