The health benefits of Cacao
There can be some confusion on what cacao really is, so to clarify cacao is the seed from which chocolate is made and cocoa is an ingredient in chocolate.
Cacao refers to cacao beans that have not been roasted, and cocoa is made of beans that have been roasted.
Normal cocoa powder and chocolate have been chemically processed and roasted, which destroys a large amount of the antioxidants and flavanols .A recent study suggested that between 60% and 90% of the original antioxidants in cacao are lost through common processing.
However, natural cacao powder is packed with health including:
Heart Health
Keeping our hearts in working order is essential for good health. The flavanols in cacao have been shown to help maintain elasticity of blood vessels, supporting healthy blood flow and circulation.
Bone Health
Raw Organic Cacao has more calcium than cow’s milk, at 160mg per 100g vs only 125mg per 100ml of milk. This is great news if you like eating chocolate as it gives you an excuse to keep eating it. Cacao is rich in calcium which is good for ageing bones. Calcium, the inorganic component that makes bones strong and healthy, is naturally present in raw cacao in large amounts
Mental Health
We all know that chocolate makes us feel good and this is likely related to cacao's high magnesium content, which plays a role in both relaxation and energy production. It is also a great source of – serotonin,
tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylethylamine – all natural mood enhancers. We add cacao to our mouth-watering beetroot and maqui juice which makes for a refreshing and energising drink.
Brain Health
Raw cacao is rich in the phytonutrient known as a flavonol. Flavonols have been shown in numerous studies to improve blood flow to the brain. When you improve blood flow, and therefore oxygen to the brain, researchers have seen significant improvements in mental focus and attention span.
We add cacao to our mouth-watering beetroot and maqui juice which makes for a refreshing and energising drink.
An easy way to add extra nutrients to your diet and increase your energy levels is to add one of our superfood juices to your diet. To order yours simply visit our shop today.