With Christmas around the corner, desserts and treats are at every event, but you do not have to fret, cacao is here to save the day.
Now you must be wondering what is the difference between cocoa and cacao? Yes there is, it’s because of the way it is processed. When cocoa is heated and refined for confessional hot chocolate powder or into chocolate bars the benefits seem to be processed out.
The benefits of raw beans being cold pressed are immense as the act of cold pressing preserves the vitamins, minerals, compounds as well as the fibre.
This wonderful bean which grows in the amazon in giant, funny looking pods is a miracle. Inside inhabits a bitter nugget of life that can taste incredible and support the growth of love and positivity. What a food to be blessed with.
I am sure you have heard before about how chocolate is a gift of love, this idea comes from more than the hallmark holiday we all know as valentines. Cacao is an aphrodisiac, influencing the feelings of attraction, and excitement. These feelings are not due to the fact that most of us loving chocolate, but because raw cacao contains chemicals that influence the bodies production of neurotransmitters.
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The love chemical – an essential amino acid phenylalanine acts as a precursor to tyramine, dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. This combination of neurotransmitters acts as a powerful antidepressant and stimulant.
The bliss chemical is another thing that boosts our love of chocolate, it is the natural chemical Anandamide. It is the natural pleasure molecule also responsible for the “workout high”. It fits into cannabinoid receptor sites giving a calm emotion. Studies show that anandamide can assist in regulating memory, balance appetite, improve pain and inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Ladies if this isn’t enough of a reason to switch from processed chocolate to raw cacao I don’t know what is
That being said here are some more reasons…
We know now that raw cacao is a love drug but can you imagine that it is also supportive of the actual health of the heart itself. Specific antioxidants in cacao have been clinically proven to dissolve plaque built up in arteries. While your artery health is being improved so is your whole circulatory system. Theobromine is a bitter alkali of the plant, which causes vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) which can act to increase absorption of nutrients. Theobromine is also the content in chocolate which animals and humans can have an overdose reaction to. As it acts as a broncodialator (lung opener) and vasodilator, certian people with medical issues should be cautious on the amount of raw cacao consumed.
Cool Fact:
The only food in the whole world that is known to have Anandamide is raw cacao!
. Tip:
Do you have restless leg syndrome or have troubles unwinding at the end of a night have a hot cuppa cacao to help relax your mind, your muscles and help you sleep
As an alkali forming food high in magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and phosphorus cacao is also supportive of muscle, bone, hair, nail and tooth health. It is the highest source of magnesium from a food source studied so far.
Yet another reason which will be my last for this post
Women needling to boost iron go no further raw cacao contains the highest amount of plant-based source of non-heme iron in foods. This can be a great way for women to their monthly cycle. Non-heme iron can be difficult to absorb in our digestive system so eating your chocolate with something high in vitamin C can hep bioavailability.
By now I am hoping I have shared enough about the wonderful benefits of this incredible superfood that you will be trying new ways to incorporate it into your diet. That’s right ladies, I said add it to your diet and no I don’t mean conventional chocolate but real smooth raw organic cacao. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
