Benefits of Cacao -

How This Nourishes Your Body

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Cacao, not to be confused with cocoa, refers to the tree and unfermented bean sprouting off the cacao tree. Simply put, it is the very first stage of chocolate making, raw with all enzymes and antioxidants intact. Used as food and medicine, it has been cultivated throughout Mexico, Central America, and South America. It was so highly valued that the ancient native peoples even used it as a currency.

This ladies and gentleman, is my happy superfood. Say yes to chocolate- every. single. day.

Nutrition Profile Benefits of Cacao

1. calcium
2. zinc
3. iron
4. copper
5. sulfur
6. potassium.

It also contains many chemicals that enhance physical and mental well-being, including alkaloids, proteins, magnesium, and beta-carotene.

It is also one of the best sources of magnesium found in nature!

This is my favorite cacao powder !

Suggested Uses:

Use powder/nibs in baking muffins, cookies, brownies, puddings and cakes

Stir powder hot coconut milk to make a nourishing hot treat

Blend into smoothies

Superfood Benefits and Reasons to Eat

1. Abundant in Antioxidants The unprocessed raw cacao bean earns a higher ORAC (a measure of antioxidant amounts), score than acai berries, spinach, or blueberries. Scientists from Cornell University in the US recently discovered that raw cacao contains nearly twice the antioxidant content of red wine, and up to three times the antioxidant content of green tea.

3. Improves Mood and Mental Health: Cacao is composed of alkaloids, proteins, beta-carotene, leucine, linoleic, lipase, and lysine, which all work together to improve mental health and clarity. The phenylethylamine and theobromine have been proven to elevate mood and make one feel a sense of well being and vitality.

5. Increased Circulation The flavonoids found in Cacao increase the blood flow and oxygen to the brain, help lower your blood pressure, and improve heart health.

4. Excellent source of Magnesium: Magnesium is the most important major mineral that is needed in the body. If the body is deficient in magnesium, there are over 350 biochemical reactions that either will not occur at all or will occur very inefficiently. Magnesium helps the body adapt to stress, promotes healthy bowl function, promotes restful sleep, and is needed for the creation of ATP (adenosine triphospate), the energy molecules of the body.

Cacao is extremely nourishing for women during their cycle, and also helps promote fertility.

Article References:

https://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Theobroma-cacao.htm

https://www.naturalnews.com/030603_cacao_medicine.html

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