Yes, you can reheat leftover high flavanol hot chocolate. Simply transfer it to a microwave-safe container or heat it gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature. 25. Are there any specific health precautions associated with high flavanol hot chocolate? A cross-sectional analysis of data from 2217 participants in the NHLBI Family Heart Study identified an inverse relationship between chocolate consumption and calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries ( 61). Individuals who reported consuming (any type of) chocolate two or more times per week were 32% less likely to have prevalent coronary artery calcification compared with those who never ate chocolate. The odds ratios decreased with increasing frequency of chocolate consumption and were adjusted for age, sex, energy intake, waist-to-hip ratio, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, total cholesterol:HDL ratio, nonchocolate candy intake, and diabetes mellitus. It’s best to consume ceremonial cacao on an empty stomach so it can replenish your body with antioxidants and feel-good chemicals. Add the chocolate chips and vanilla. Whisk until the chocolate is melted and combined. Serve in a mug with additional chocolate as desired. DONE. ENJOY! One popular option is honey, which not only adds sweetness but also provides additional health benefits. Honey is rich in antioxidants and has antimicrobial properties. Another alternative is maple syrup, which adds a distinct flavor profile to your hot chocolate. It contains essential minerals and antioxidants, making it a healthier choice compared to refined sugar.

In fact, this healthy hot chocolate recipe has a 5-star rating for a reason! One reader recently commented: Adding a pinch of salt enhances the flavor of the hot chocolate by reducing bitterness and balancing the sweetness. It does not significantly affect the flavanol content. 8. Can I customize the flavor of my high flavanol hot chocolate? This healthy hot chocolate recipe made with cacao powder can be customized in many ways depending on taste preference or the ingredients you have available. Irish Hot Chocolate. Add a splash of Irish Cream liqueur, such as Bailey’s, or Irish whiskey. Not nearly as healthy but YUM. This might not sound enough, but a recent study has found that if you eat mindfully and really concentrate on enjoying the taste and feel, you get more satisfaction from smaller portions.If you have any leftover hot chocolate, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store the container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When ready to enjoy, gently reheat the hot chocolate on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heat distribution. 2. Freezing for Future Use I'm also an advocate for healthy eating and strive to create recipes that are easy to make and use fresh ingredients. Many of my recipes contain vegetables or grains as the main ingredients, with a few indulgences thrown in for good measure. I often experiment with new ingredients, adding international flavors and finding ways to make dishes healthier without compromising on flavour. Raw cacao powder used to make cacao drinks has many health benefits. Some of those benefits are discussed below. Antioxidants Kosher Salt. It sounds odd, but it is so needed. Even in dessert recipes, salt helps other flavors pop, without making them salty.

Certainly, adding a hint of espresso to your high flavanol hot chocolate can provide a delightful twist. Mix a small amount of strong brewed espresso into the hot chocolate mixture to add a subtle coffee flavor. 23. Can I use flavored chocolate for a unique high flavanol hot chocolate? Add the almond milk, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and salt to a small saucepan. Over medium heat on the stovetop, whisk the mixture often, until it starts to simmer and the lumps dissolve. When dealing with chronic pain, one of the things that helped me in my healing journey is doing a body scan meditation each morning to see where I’m holding tension. Where does it hurt, and how can you support your body for the rest of the day? Teemu Arina explained that one cup of this cacao is like drinking five cups of regular cacao powder. These nutrients are helpful to the brain. Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream. The classic hot chocolate topping! Feel free to use the can (I won’t judge). To keep the recipe vegan/dairy free, use whipped coconut cream.Yes, children can consume high flavanol hot chocolate. However, be mindful of their caffeine intake if using dark chocolate with higher cocoa percentages as it contains a small amount of caffeine. Adjust proportions accordingly and consider opting for lower cocoa percentages or using milk chocolate for children. 13. Can high flavanol hot chocolate be enjoyed by individuals with diabetes?

The cocoa bean contains several minerals necessary for vascular function. Dietary magnesium, copper, potassium, and calcium all reduce risk of hypertension and atherosclerosis ( 248). For a dairy-free hot chocolate recipe, try using unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk. You can also use hemp milk or soy milk for extra protein, or cashew milk, if you’d like. If you want to save your high flavanol hot chocolate for a longer period, you can freeze it. Pour the cooled hot chocolate into ice cube trays and place them in the freezer until fully frozen. Once frozen, transfer the hot chocolate cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. When the craving strikes, simply thaw the desired amount of cubes and reheat them following the previous reheating instructions. 3. Reheating Tips

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Chocolate Chips or Chopped Dark Chocolate. You’ll find plenty of healthy hot chocolate recipes online that leave these out for the sake of saving calories, but I really do prefer my hot cocoa with some chocolate melted in. It makes it taste more real and less sad. You can always taste the healthy hot chocolate without it first, see if you are satisfied, and then add the melted chocolate if you are not. This mushroom extract is a nootropic that improves mental performance in healthy individuals and can boost memory, focus, and creativity. It contains hericenones and erinacines, which are nerve growth factors that stimulate brain activity. A review of the evidence in 2016 suggested that a daily 20g portion of chocolate would need to contain at least 200mg of flavanols and 100mg of epicatechin to have a similar effect to cocoa. The processing methods used in the confectionary industry mean that 20g of chocolate does not contain this amount of flavanols so can’t be considered to have the same benefits as cocoa. The best way to get the heart healthy benefits of flavanols, specifically epicatechin, is to eat plenty of plant foods which are high in these, including:

Heiss and colleagues have contributed much to the study of cocoa. In a 2003 study, they assessed the effects of high- and low-flavanol cocoa drinks on FMD and nitrosylated and nitrosated species (RNO) in 20 participants with at least one cardiovascular risk factor ( 92). In the double-blind, crossover trial, participants received 100ml of high-flavanol cocoa drink (176mg) and a low-flavanol cocoa (<10mg) on 2 consecutive days, in random sequence. The high-flavanol and low-flavanol cocoas contained 73 and 66kcal, respectively. In an initial pilot test, the high-flavanol cocoa increased FMD maximally 2h after ingestion, whereas the low-flavanol drink had no effect. Based on these results, outcome measures were assessed 2h after ingestion of the test products in the full study. Principal findings from this study include the following: (i) flavanol-rich cocoa, but not low-flavanol cocoa, significantly increased RNO and FMD (from 3.4% to 6.3%); (ii) changes in RNO and FMD were correlated ( r=0.42, p=0.02); (iii) there were no significant changes in other vascular variables. These findings were replicated in a subgroup of 11 smokers with no other cardiovascular risk factors ( 95).

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When the seasons start to grow chillier — and the infatuation with pumpkin spice begins to fade — warm beverage lovers are game-on for a steamy and creamy mug of hot chocolate. Many high-end retailers are touting dark drinking chocolate products these days, but do they have the host of health benefits, including helping to fight inflammation, that eating dark chocolate does? While the flavanol content primarily comes from the cocoa powder and dark chocolate used, you can slightly increase the overall flavanol intake by adding a higher percentage of dark chocolate or using a cocoa powder labeled as high in flavanols. 12. Can children consume high flavanol hot chocolate? Flavonols. The most studied flavonols are quercetin, myricetin, and fisetin. Flavonols are linked to many health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease. They’re found in: I’ve personally noticed that my energy stays the same throughout the day after substituting coffee with ceremonial cacao.