Consumption of cocoa prevents many diseases - Prof Addai

Research has shown that the consumption of cocoa by humans promotes good health and helps to prevent many fatal diseases.

Some of the diseases include malaria, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, persistent coughs and hiccups, among several others.

Prof Frederick Addai, an Embryologist and Lecturer at the Department of Anatomy, University of Ghana-Legon, said this when he gave a lecture on the topic "Cocoa and Your Health: Tip of the Iceberg", on Wednesday in Accra, as part of activities to commemorate the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the University of Ghana Medical School.

He said improved brain power and penile erection, better movement for people with arthritis, were also some of the benefits of cocoa intake, saying cocoa enhanced blood flow which was vital to certain functions of the body.

Prof Addai said research had shown that the cocoa variety grown in Ghana was one of the best in the world and could be of immense help in the area of preventive health.

He said "cocoa clears up the blood system and improves our tolerance for exercise which is very vital to our health."

Prof Addai however cautioned that it was always important to see a certified doctor when one had health problems, adding that one did not have to assume that by taking in cocoa, seeing a doctor could completely be avoided.

He said what was known of the nutritional and medicinal qualities of cocoa was just the tip of the iceberg, adding that more research was underway to unveil even more favorable qualities that were not yet known.

Prof Addai said, considering the qualities of cocoa, there was the need for government to provide funding in order for more research to be done on the subject, for the benefit of the society.**