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Cocoa Beneficial For Preventing Regular Incidence of Sickle Cell Crisis

The Technical Director of Delfi Ventures, Mrs Ida Dela Kuekey Austine, has advised persons living with sickle cell anaemia to make the consumption of unsweetened cocoa and dark chocolates a daily routine.

Mrs Austine, who has lived with the condition for four and half decades, sharing her first-hand experience assured cocoa is proven to have beneficial compounds that could help prevent the incidence of sickle cell anaemia crisis.

Studies by Research Gate to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-sickling potential of cocoa from two regions in Cameroon (Southwest and Littoral) suggested that cocoa bean extracts from these localities particularly from Manfe could be used against sickling.

To celebrate her 45th birthday, Mrs Austine a pioneer of Ghana’s artisanal cocoa processing industry called at the Sickle Cell Clinic of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to conscientise patients about the benefits of cocoa to their wellbeing.

Dela Kuekey Austine having managed her sickle cell crisis with daily consumption of a cocoa beverage decided to educate sickle cell patients at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital about her discovery.

“Delfi Ventures wants to show our corporate social responsibility to the sickle cell department and today being my birthday, I am here to promote cocoa, encourage patients to use it and to nourish them”, she explained.

Dela Austine, who doubles as the Vice President of the Cocoa Value Addition Artisans Association of Ghana (COVAAAGH), said chocolate products with at least 30 percent of cocoa can reduce sickle cell crisis when consumed daily.

“Cocoa is a mysterious plant and the fruit all the way down into the seed is rich and filled with biochemicals known as antioxidants and they generally promote the health of every individual who takes it. It generally helps improve the body’s immunity.”

Antioxidants are compounds produced in your body and found in foods. They help defend your cells from damage caused by potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals.

The team from Delfi Ventures, producers of De’Laugh chocolates and cocoa products, refreshed about a 100 persons living with sickle cell anaemia and the clinic staff with vegetable salads, chocolate and cocoa drinks.

Delfi Ventures has to its credit five different variants of chocolate including Vegan and sugar-free bars.

 

Daniel Lartey
Source Cocoa Post
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