Popular especially among children, chocolate powder drinks, whether served hot or cold, are more than just a favorite drink that a lot of people have loved since childhood. They tend to be a great source of several important nutrients, which is healthy for people of all ages as well. It is frequently marketed as an excellent way to recover following exercise and as a calcium and vitamin D-rich alternative to traditional cow’s milk.
Chocolate powder drinks are typically made and flavored with cocoa and sugar. The drink itself is typically made by combining chocolate powder or chocolate syrup with milk — either from cow, goat, soy, rice, and others. Other additives are sometimes added to milk to increase flavor and nutritional value. This drink is actually different from milk chocolate itself, which refers to a solid form of chocolate made with milk.
Chocolate, in general, has a lot of health benefits such as its ability to alleviate stress, boost brain activity, improve liver health, and many others. When milk is added, the drink becomes more nutritious. It is actually a good supplement to any diet, since calcium, vitamins A and D, potassium, and protein are all present in this healthy beverage. Moreover, chocolate milk is usually used for nutrition recovery. This means that a person can regain or restore their energy after a vigorous activity once they have drank this chocolate powder drink.
This chocolate drink can be consumed by anyone who needs an energy boost. But it is especially beneficial for children, athletes, fitness freaks, and heavy workers. It can also be a post-workout beverage, if you wish. Actually, the advantages of this chocolate have been used for decades. Antioxidants abound in minerals and biochemicals, which will directly benefit your health.
Rich in Nutrients
Chocolate powder drinks are prepared by combining cow’s milk with chocolate powder and sweeteners such as sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. It has more carbohydrates and calories than unsweetened milk but is otherwise nutritionally equivalent.
A 240 ml cup of chocolate milk typically contains 180 to 210 calories. Proteins, carbohydrates, sugar, fats, calcium, vitamin D, potassium, phosphorus, and riboflavin are all present in this drink. Additionally, zinc, magnesium, iodine, vitamin A, B1, B6, and B12 are also available in limited amounts. These nutrients are proven to be effective and beneficial to bodily growth and function.
Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are extremely beneficial in the fight against free radicals in the human body. They can protect you from aging, heart disease, and even cancer in this way. For this reason, antioxidants are among the properties of chocolate powder drinks that make them advantageous to regular consumers. So there is enough to be happy about in this case.
Furthermore, experts have found how polyphenols, flavan-3-ols, and procyanidin in hot chocolate powder produce antioxidants. All of these biological multi-phenol components in the form of these chocolate drink compounds have been shown to have antioxidant capabilities. And because of antioxidants such as polyphenol components, chocolate also aids in the reduction of harmful cholesterol synthesis.
Beneficial for Bone Health
Calcium is an important vitamin for your bones and teeth. And this vitamin is present in milk. Any type of milk out there, including chocolate powder drinks, is a bone-health powerhouse because of this mix of nutrients. Actually, even before in the 1930s, dairy farmers in the United States began adding vitamin D to milk. This is to help prevent rickets, a bone-weakening illness. Rickets is a childhood disease caused by a lack of vitamin D. It becomes the reason why bones become softer and weaker than they should be.
Calcium in dairy products is quickly absorbed. For this, according to researchers, is the major reason why dairy consumption is regularly associated with the formation of strong bones in children and adolescents. Moreover, chocolate powder drinks are also rich in protein and phosphorus. They are frequently fortified with vitamin D, all of which are essential nutrients for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth. This could explain why several studies relate milk and dairy products consumption to a lower incidence of fractures and bone illnesses like osteoporosis, especially in older adults.
Boosts Brain Power
Certain studies have proven that chocolate powder drinks provide benefits to people in terms of boosting their brain power. Also, according to studies, cocoa flavanols raise brain oxygen levels at the same time, hence increasing brain metabolism. As a result, when flavonoid dutch processed cocoa is consumed, all neurons are stimulated at a faster rate.
With further studies, the consumption of chocolate powder drinks have improved various cognitive processes which include memory, problem-solving, and attention span. These advantages are due to the high quantities of procyanidin and thiamin in chocolate. Thiamin, also referred to as vitamin B1, energizes the brain while procyanidin lowers inflammation in the brain.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Indulging in chocolate powder drinks has been proven to be effective in lowering blood pressure. This chemically rich flavanol drink infuses nitric oxide, which causes people’s blood vessels to dilate. To put it another way, the nutrients in a cup of chocolate drink can help the arteries to relax. This can also prevent fat buildup. With this, as a result, a healthy blood pressure level is recommended.
Key Takeaway
Chocolate powder drinks offer a lot of health benefits to people, being a healthy alternative that is enjoyable to drink. From being able to be rich in antioxidants and nutrients, to providing benefits to your muscles and bones, for brain power, and to lower blood pressure, all advantageous as a means of improving overall health. And as previously said, chocolate powder drinks provide a variety of minerals such as calcium, vitamin D, and proteins. But then, it involves added sugar, which is not beneficial for diabetics. Thus, for this case, it is best enjoyed in moderation as an occasional treat rather than consumed on a daily basis.
