Main image courtesy of Unsplash.
When it gets a little chilly outside, you may find yourself craving a hot beverage. And while you can always have a nice cup of tea or a coffee drink, there’s another bevvy that reminds us of coming inside out of the cold and into a warm space, and that’s hot chocolate. Whether you have fond memories of coming inside after sled riding as a kid to a hot cup of cocoa, or you love trying out all the seasonal versions of the drink from your local cafe, it’s safe to say that hot chocolate is a favorite of many people.
There are all kinds of takes on hot chocolate, whether that’s simply using the powdered version and adding hot water or milk, or creating your own from scratch, there’s no one way to make the drink. However, we’re willing to bet you haven’t tried out a new combination from Dr. Emil that includes both collagen and hot chocolate. Want to know more? Then you’ve come to the right place because today we’re covering:
- The benefits of chocolate and cocoa
- Why adding collagen to hot chocolate is a great idea
- How effective collage and hot cocoa is
- Other ways to ensure you get the collagen your body needs
The benefits of chocolate and cocoa
Chocolate is a beloved treat, but it also has many health benefits!
The chocolate bars we love all originate from a small evergreen tree, T. cacao that is native to Central and South America. The powder that is ground up from its seeds (cocoa beans), is known as cocoa powder, and is believed to have been first used by the Mayans for not only food consumption, but for treating maladies as well. After the Spanish explored this area, they brought the delightful powder back with them to Europe, and the rest is history.
When you think of chocolate, whether that’s your favorite chocolate bar, hot chocolate, or the chocolate syrup on your favorite coffee drink, it all comes from cocoa powder. People of the past used this powder not only for its delicious taste, but because it was good for them. And it seems that science is catching up, as there are several studies that show chocolate and cocoa powder consumption does have a variety of benefits.
- Contains powerful antioxidants. Cocoa powder contains polyphenols, which are naturally occurring antioxidants (similar to those found in wine, fruit, and tea) that fight the cell damage that’s caused by free radicals. In addition to polyphenols you’ll also find flavanols like epicatechin, and cocoa powder and chocolate contain some of the highest amounts. These antioxidants are able to help the body fight against inflammation naturally.
- Improves heart health. Consuming cocoa powder is also a good way to protect your heart. The antioxidants contained in the substance can lower blood pressure and increase the circulation of blood to the heart. This can lower the risk of blood clots and heart disease.
- Keeps the immune system healthy and reduces inflammation. One of the most common causes of disease and chronic health issues is inflammation. And while inflammation can occur in a variety of places in the body, one of the most common areas is in the gut, which has an effect on our immune system. The flavanols in chocolate are antioxidants that can fight the inflammation caused by free radicals, which is especially helpful to the immune system. When your immune system is operating correctly, you’re less likely to succumb to inflammation and disease.
- Improve brain function. The flavanols found in cocoa can cross the blood-brain barrier, and increase blood flow to the brain. They also have an influence on the production of nitric oxide, which allows your blood vessels to relax and improves the blood supply available to your brain. This can have a lot of benefits to your cognition, including improved memory, better focus, and increased reaction time. Although more research is needed, this might be something that people with cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s can benefit from.
- Helps with diabetes. The specific flavanol epicatechin protects our cells from the damage done by free radicals. This can also be beneficial to those with diabetes, and help others avoid the disease. Epicatechin helps the body use insulin in a more beneficial way, which may help diabetics deal with disease better, or prevent it in others.
- Lowers stress. Those that regularly enjoy cocoa enjoy reduced stress levels. This isn’t to say you should eat a lot of chocolate each day, but including it in moderation results in less stress and reduced cortisol levels. This is also beneficial to the heart, as less stress means less risk of developing heart disease.
When looking for cocoa powder or chocolate make sure you’re aware that not all chocolate products are created the same. While you may love milk chocolate for its delicious taste and the other ingredients that are added to it in your favorite candy bar, if you want the full benefits of cocoa powder, it’s best to stick to using the powder itself--or having dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cacao. Milk chocolate tends to contain more sugar and less cocoa (not to mention additional sugary ingredients like caramel, peanut butter, cookies, etc.)
If you don’t like the bitter flavor of dark chocolate, you can stick to cocoa powder instead! Feel free to add it to:
- Smoothies
- Yogurt
- Chia pudding
- Fruit
- Granola
- Or enjoy a cup of cocoa with warm milk or water
Why add collagen to hot chocolate?
Why is collagen a beneficial ingredient to add to hot cocoa?
If you’ve been looking for a way to reduce fine lines and wrinkles on your face and improve the elasticity of your skin, chances are you’ve come across collagen. This is the most abundant protein in our bodies, but unfortunately, as we age it decreases. Collagen supplements are popular, and typically they are made of hydrolyzed collagen, which is the type of collagen your body can better absorb. There are a variety of types of collagen, but in supplements you’ll typically find these main ones in either capsule or powder form:
- Type I. This is the most common and abundant form of collagen, and it is found in the connective tissue of your body.
- Type II. Type II is found in your joints and ligaments.
- Type III. You can find this type in skin, blood vessels, and your eyes.
- Type IV. This type you’ll find in the organs such as your kidneys.
You can also find collagen in food sources such as bone broth, meat, and the skin of chicken and fish. If you’re interested in taking supplements, you’re not alone as it’s a convenient way to get collagen into your body on a daily basis. There are some major benefits to taking collagen including:
- Improving your skin. One of the top benefits to including collagen in your daily routine is that it can help to improve the look and feel of your skin. As we age, we develop more lines and wrinkles, especially on the delicate skin of our face. Because collagen plays such a major role in the elasticity of your skin, taking it daily may help improve the firmness of your skin and reduce fine lines. When you take collagen orally, it also signals to your body to produce its own collagen, which is even more beneficial.
- Better hair and nails. Collagen also works closely with keratin, which makes up our hair and nails. It can prevent brittleness and may encourage your hair and nails to grow.
- Ease joint pain. Collagen is present in our joints, tendons, and ligaments, and taking additional amounts may help keep the cartilage you have in your joints from decreasing. When we start to lose cartilage as we continue to age, it can lead to painful conditions like osteoarthritis. Taking collagen can help reduce stiffness and may lower inflammation.
- Boost muscle mass. Another fact of aging is that we lose muscle mass. Collagen as a protein may help build or maintain muscle mass that’s already there. Adding additional collagen to your diet may promote muscle growth after physical exercise.
- Help with bone health. Bone mass decreases with time, and can lead to brittle bones, which increases the chance of breaking them especially in older adults. When you increase the amount of collagen, you may be able to help prevent or limit the effects of osteoporosis.
Collagen and hot chocolate: a two for one from Dr. Emil
Now that you know a little more about the benefits of both cocoa and collagen, it only makes sense that you put the two together! And that’s exactly what Dr. Emil did with Hot Cocoa Collagen. This blend contains 9 grams of collagen per scoop, and blends a variety of collagen from bovine, marine, and poultry to give your skin, joints, hair, and nails the extra boost they need—so you can look and feel your best!
This delicious hot cocoa also includes hyaluronic acid for extra hydration for your skin, so you can say goodbye to dry skin and achieve a more youthful looking complexion. Another helpful ingredient is olive oil powder, which adds a nutritional boost and helps your hair and nails shine.
You’ll only find 45 calories per serving (one scoop), 1 carb, and this drink is sweetened with Stevia instead of sugar. This hot cocoa can be mixed with hot water or milk, or you can choose to add it to your smoothies, coffee or baked goods and still enjoy all the benefits of collagen and cocoa. Did we mention it tastes amazing and even contains real marshmallows, but without all the added sugar that comes with traditional hot chocolate mixes?
When should you take collagen hot cocoa?
You can take collagen hot cocoa whenever it works for you! The key to seeing success with any collagen supplement is consistency. Make it a point to take it at the same time each day, as this is the only way to get the best results. Lots of folks choose to take their supplements in the morning, whether that’s in your coffee, or with hot water. It doesn’t need to be cold outside for you to enjoy this warming drink, no matter what time of day you choose to take it.
Set yourself up for success and commit to taking it at the same time. Set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself until it seems like second nature to reach for this delicious drink!
Is collagen hot chocolate effective?
Only if you take it daily and consistently include it in your regimen. Everyone responds to supplements differently, so be patient and give your body time to adapt. Some people may see improvements in four weeks, but give yourself a full 12 weeks to see results. With 9 grams of collagen per scoop, you’ll definitely be doing your skin, joints, hair, and nails a favor by drinking this collagen hot cocoa.
Other ways to incorporate collagen into your routine
If you’re looking for another way to increase your collagen intake, you can always turn to Dr. Emil’s Multi Collagen Plus contains five different types of collagen, as well as BioPerine for faster absorption.
There are lots of reasons to include collagen hot cocoa in your day!
Whether you want to start the day with your dose, or have it as a delightful afternoon beverage, you can’t go wrong with the benefits of both collagen and cocoa.
