Cacao

Theobroma Cacao. When chocolate companies – including us – quote this “God Food” name for cacao, are we using nomenclature to give chocolate products a health halo? The answer is yes and no. Cacao, by any standard, is indeed a superfood. We’re excited to share the health benefits of organic cacao, which are quite spectacular. Almost every chocolate product on the market combines this superfood with ingredients that render chocolate a net drag on health – sugar or unhealthy, artificial sweeteners. By excluding these, we allow the medicinal properties of delicious chocolate to shine through. We give you – finally – chocolate that is genuinely healthy and still sweet!

Chocolate can reduce the risk of Multiple Chronic Diseases and has Benefits for Cardiovascular, Skin, Metabolic and Mental Health!

In addition to the high levels of longevity-promoting polyphenols, cacao actually has clinical applications for prevention and amelioration of many chronic diseases. Cacao polyphenols improve endothelial function, nitric oxide synthesis and have anti-inflammatory effects, improving blood pressure, cardiovascular health and protecting against heart disease (i). Cacao also has anti-inflammatory beneficial impacts on intestinal health (ii). Studies indicate that via epigenetic mechanisms, cacao reduces visceral fat, improves satiety, improves lipid markers (lowers oxidised low-density lipoprotein (LDL), reduces triglycerides and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL)) and reduces cardiovascular disease risk (iii).

Mitochondria are the energy-generating and fat-burning powerhouses of our cells. A nutrient called pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) has been found to both protect mitochondria from oxidative damage and stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis (the growth of new mitochondria). Evidence demonstrates that PQQ is so important – for growth, immune system function, reproductive performance, lipid and energy metabolism, skin and collagen renewal – that it is starting to be considered a vitamin: an essential nutrient that we cannot make and must get from food. Improving mitochondrial energy production is key to healing and optimising health and longevity.

Know, Lee (2018) ‘Mitochondria and the future of medicine: the key to understanding disease, chronic illness, aging and life itself’, Chelsea Green Publishing, p. 159

CHOCOLATE is about DIVING into a SENSORY PLEASURE-TROVE. NOMOSU believes DELICIOUSNESS can be OBJECTIVE.

While we all have our food preferences, there are certain foods that are undeniably and universally pleasurable. Our benchmark is that every mouthful of every NOMOSU product must be objectively, seriously delicious. This is why we regularly run blind tasting panels with chefs, chocolatiers and chocoholics to compare our chocolate with those of other high quality chocolates. We strive to make every NOMOSU chocolate deliver the wow-factor and we continue until this is achieved.

(i) Magrone, T. et al. (2017), ‘Cocoa and Dark Chocolate Polyphenols: From Biology to Clinical Applications’, Front. Immunol. 8(677)

(ii) ) Pérez-Berezo, T. et al. (2012), ‘Effects of a cocoa diet on an intestinal inflammation in rats’, Exp. Biol. Med. (Maywood) 237(10), pp. 1181–8

(iii) Crescenti, A. et al. (2013) ‘Cocoa Consumption Alters the Global DNA Methylation of Peripheral Leukocytes in Humans with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.’ PLoS ONE 8(6): e65744

(iv) Cimini, A. et al. (2013) ‘Cocoa Powder Triggers Neuroprotective and Preventive Effects in a Human Alzheimer’s Disease Model by Modulating BDNF Signaling Pathway’, J Cell Biochem. 114(10), pp. 2209–2220

(v) Wang, J. et al. (2014) ‘Cocoa extracts reduce oligomerization of amyloid-β: implications for cognitive improvement in Alzheimer’s disease’, J Alzheimers Dis. 41(2), pp. 643-50

(vi) Scapagnini, G. et al. (2014), ‘Cocoa bioactive compounds: significance and potential for the maintenance of skin health’, Nutrients, 6(8), pp. 3202-3213

(vii) Shah, S.R. et al. (2017) ‘Use of dark chocolate for diabetic patients: a review of the literature and current evidence’, Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives, 7(4), pp. 218–221

(viii) Know, Lee (2018) ‘Mitochondria and the future of medicine: the key to understanding disease, chronic illness, aging and life itself’, Chelsea Green Publishing, pp. 154-160