Cocoa + Fish Oil = Potent Antioxidant Combo

Cocoa contains a class of antioxidants called flavonoids, which are also found in teas and red wine. Flavonoids may not only have a direct antioxidant effect, but they may also have a sparing effect on other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E. Cocoa has been used since ancient times as a medicinal remedy for preventing chronic diseases. Cocoa does have some pharmacological properties, such as the ability to increase a substance in the blood called nitric oxide, and it also makes blood cells less sticky. That means blood cells are less likely to adhere to the lining of your arteries, hence preventing cardiovascular disease. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to expand and allows for an increased supply of oxygen-rich blood in the body - a process called vasodilation.

Fish oil is a source of eicosapentaenoic acic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DPA) acid, more commonly known as Omega-3 fatty acids. It might just be the current teacher’s pet of the supplement world. Benefits include reduced inflammation to help muscles recover after workouts, lower blood pressure, improved mood, memory and concentration, anticancerogenic properties and more. Other physique benefits include increased blood flow (the “pump”), storing more glycogen in muscle tissue, reducing the catabolic stress hormone cortisol, boosting strength and fat-burning. All of this is supported by recent research. Plenty of articles on Omega-3 benefits can be found on http://www.dhaomega3.org if you would like to research it in depth.

For somebody who’s trying to get in shape and improve quality of life, and is training regularly, I would recommend taking 2 grams of fish oil 3-4 times per day. Take it with breakfast, last meal of the day, and also with pre- and post-workout meals due to fish oil’s nitric oxide boosting and cortisol reducing capabilities. Also it’s a great idea to take 3 grams of fish oil when having a cheat meal to decrease oxidative stress from high amount of saturated fat. As for cocoa, it adds great flavor to porridge oats, so I take it at breakfast, and also I add 10 grams to protein shakes (preferably chocolate flavored).