This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CocoaVia® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Have you heard of the benefits of cocoa? Yes, the main ingredient in chocolate. Cocoa flavanols are powerful phytonutrients. These are plant-based nutrients, naturally found in the cocoa bean. The CocoaVia®supplement guarantees the highest concentration of cocoa flavanols available in a dietary supplement.
Best part is, these Cocoa Flavanols are also delicious! The supplement comes in a vegetarian capsule form for daily use or powdered stick packets that can be used in your favorite recipe, in fruit or chocolate flavors. Perfect for adding to yogurt, protein shakes, smoothies, coffee, oatmeal, etc. We used it in a delicious smoothie that contained a packet of the Sweetened Dark Chocolate CocoaVia®. See the recipe below to recreate this quick, vegetarian, tasty and healthy treat.
Black Forest CocoaVia® Smoothie
Prep time: 5 minutes. Serves 1.
You will need:
Blender
6 ounces of vanilla or unsweetened almond milk
1 packet CocoaVia® Sweetened Dark Chocolate supplement
½ cup of ice
6-8 cherries
Slice cherries and remove pits, put cherries in blender. Add ice, almond milk and CocoaVia® packet. Blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately.
So what are the Benefits of the flavanols in CocoaVia®? Chocolate is good, but cocoa flavanols are actually great for the body. The benefits of cocoa or chocolate come from cocoa flavanols, not percentage of cacao or the darkness of the chocolate. Flavanols from various sources each have their own unique profile or “fingerprint.” Cocoa flavanols are actually one of the most-researched types of flavanols in the world. No other food on Earth can match the unique blend of flavanols found in cocoa. These flavanols found in CocoaVia® aid in cardiovascular/heart health, keeping arteries flexible for optimal blood flow. This also helps with exercise performance and even cognitive health. Who doesn’t want a healthier, sharper mind?
CocoaVia® may be purchased online at www.cocoavia.com and www.amazon.com or at stores such as Vitamin World, Wegman’s, Harris Teeter, GNC and independent natural food retailers. Click here to find a store closest to you. Check out the CocoaVia® website for delicious Recipes! When shopping online, use code ChocLovers20 to receive 20% off your purchase. (Limit one per customer and not valid on cases. Expires 9/30/2014)
Want even more CocoaVia®? Create your own unique smoothie recipe and comment on this blog post to be entered for a chance to win a CocoaVia® prize pack! The winner will receive a CocoaVia® prize pack that includes a two month supply of CocoaVia® capsules plus two boxes of CocoaVia® Dark Chocolate and Fruit Variety stick packs. Get blending with CocoaVia®!
