The chief pharmacist of the Cocoa Clinic of Ghana, Dr Edward Amporful, has urged the general public to increase the daily consumption of cocoa to boost their immune system in the battle against coronavirus – COVID-19.
The public has been encouraged to increase their daily consumption of cocoa related products to help boost their immune system in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19).
“According to Dr. Amporful, cocoa consumption is proven to boost the immune system, thin the blood and also helps to protect the human body against infections”, Daily Guide Network reported.
The chief pharmacist of the Cocoa Clinic making the call, emphasised that in times like this, “it is important to consume Cocoa on a daily basis as an immune booster.”
Dr Amporful explained that cocoa is highly rich in polyphenol and methylxanthine-theobromine, which possess immune system building functions.
“The immune system protects the body against germs and foreign materials, “he said; adding, “it is made up of two components- innate and adaptive. The innate immune response is inborn or natural.”
Dr Amporful noted, “it quickly marshals agents of the immune system to deal with any invading foreign material (e.g. germ/pathogen). The immune system is so sensitive and forever scanning the environment for any such foreign material”
The experienced pharmacist said identified some conditions that militate against the optimal performance of the immune system, therefore, making it susceptible to attacks.
“Oxidative stress is essentially an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract or detoxify their harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants”, he said.
“There is oxidative stress in infections and the body usually mobilizes e.g. white blood cells in such situations. Polyphenol-rich cocoa is a strong antioxidant and therefore able to mop up these free radicals produced via oxidative stress and in turn normalizes the functions of the immune system.”
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