The Kansas City Dietitian Discovers the Fountain of Youth…
at the Bottom of Her Coffee Mug.
No, we are not talking about erasing fine lines, wrinkles, or unsightly dark spots, we are talking about being young at heart. Antioxidants, particularly found in coffee and chocolate, boast a pretty powerful resume in heart health. Our anti-aging beverage recipe is one that is not only delicious but also packs an anti-oxidant punch that may help keep your heart young.
How do we get antioxidants? Believe it or not the number one antioxidant that American’s consume is coffee. That’s right, America’s favorite beverage provides anti-oxidants (however, the added sugar and cream do not). So how can we make coffee even more antioxidant-rich? Look no further than the cocoa powder you have in your pantry. Cocoa powder is also a great source of antioxidants. Taste: There are two types of cocoa powder, dutch processed and natural, that aren’t necessarily interchangeable. The dutch processed cocoa powder is milder and mostly used to complement other flavors. This is what is usually found in candy bars. The natural cocoa powder is richer, and lacks alkaline. If it is used in baking it will require a leveling agent, like baking soda.Note: These two types of cocoa powder have nothing to do with being “organic” or “unsweetened”. All baking cocoa powders are “unsweetened,” and you can find “organic” varieties of both dutch processed and natural cocoa powder.
Choosing a Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powders with the words natural, unprocessed, or non-alkalized are going to be your best bet. If you don’t see any of these words on the product look at the ingredient list and see if it has alkaline in it. Studies suggest that the natural cocoa powders may have almost 80% more flavanols per gram (the type of antioxidant found in cocoa powders) than dutch processed cocoa powders. All of this rich information on the antioxidants in cocoa powder is not a reason to go on the chocolate diet. Different antioxidants have different properties that benefit our health, for the ultimate anti-aging diet be sure to eat your orange, red, blue/purple, and green foods.
Healthier Mocha Latte:
- 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 1-2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (optional)
- 1/3 cup milk of choice ( I like Silk Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk, or if I am feeling particularly decadent Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk )
- 2/3 cup brewed coffee
- Put cocoa powder, maple syrup, and milk in a microwaveable cup. Heat for 30 seconds or until it is warm.
- Place directly in small blender (I use my Magic Bullet) and blend for 20-30 seconds or until a froth starts to form.
- Pour coffee into a mug and top with frothed milk.
Keep your heart young and drink some antioxidants today!