Volta Region holds Cocoa Producers' Alliance Cocoa Day

Ho, Oct 04, GNA - Mr Joseph Nayan, the Deputy Volta Regional Minister, has said information on the health benefits of cocoa had been known for 200 years as it was prescribed by physicians for a variety of ailments. At the home front, he said, farmers used immature cocoa fruits and shoots in soup or the roasted beans as food flavour but they were never encouraged to drink cocoa beverages. Mr Nayan said this when the launched the Cocoa Producers' Alliance Cocoa Day in Ho meant to popularise consumption of products made from cocoa.

He said it is the aim of government that the local consumption of cocoa products becomes popular because of its health benefits. "Cocoa beans is estimated to contain over 300 chemicals out of which three of them complement one another in functions to give exceptional food for healthy cardio-vascular system", he said For 45-year olds and above, "two teaspoonfuls of pure cocoa powder in a cup of boiling water drunk at least two times a day would give excellent health benefits and ensure good quality of life for years", he said. "Moreover, the high magnesium content of pure cocoa makes it a perfect drink for diabetics."