Those who have a sweet tooth would know how much of a godsend chocolates are. Whether you have them for dessert, a meal appetizer (yes, some people do this), or simply to snack on, it’s always a delicious experience. Chocolate, of course, is not exactly health food, and overconsumption could lead to unfavorable outcomes like diabetes and obesity. But that doesn’t mean that chocolate lovers can’t have their fun.
The better alternative would be to turn to raw organic cacao powder. For those who are unaware, cacao is the unprocessed component of chocolate that bears a number of nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and iron, to name a few. It is considered a “superfood” that is commonly added to breakfast smoothies, or used as an ingredient to make a healthier version of ice cream.
Curious to learn more? We’ve taken it upon ourselves to list down some of the health benefits that cacao powder brings. Hopefully, after reading this, you will incorporate it into your daily diet, as well.
Blood pressure regulation
We live in a world where practicing a healthy lifestyle through diet is quite a challenge, given the abundance of the “unhealthier” choices. You will likely come across at least one fast-food chain in your neighborhood, and when the need arises, this would be the more convenient option to take. And of course, we all know how such a diet could lead to ailments like high blood pressure.
Whether you are already dealing with this condition or not, cacao powder is helpful in curbing blood pressure levels by regulating the nitric oxide in the blood through its main chemical component flavanol, which improves blood vessel function.
This medical breakthrough was found true among island folks in Central America, who saw a consistent drop in blood pressure by drinking cocoa regularly.
Blood flow improvement
Cacao powder, or any variant of it, really does wonders to the human circulatory system. Apart from the aforementioned benefits in regulating blood pressure levels, the polyphenol in cacao is also helpful in enhancing blood flow to the brain.
Of course, improved blood flow to the brain subsequently leads to improved brain functions, as well. It can also lessen the chances of contracting degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
More research also concluded that the flavanols in cacao powder are key to the advancement of mental performance.
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A remedy for depressive episodes
We’ve already mentioned how cacao can be beneficial to the brain, but that entails much more. This time, the tryptophan component does most of the work when it is converted to serotonin, the chemical in the brain responsible for mood stabilization.
More studies have shown that consuming cacao in drink form also helped people achieve calmness and a feeling of satisfaction. It’s pretty much like doing a full yoga session, with your taste buds thanking you for it.
Overall, these certain components in cacao have helped in the psychological well-being of those who consume it regularly.
Keeps your waistline in check
The common notion about delicious food is that it is likely packed with “junk” to cause a sudden spike in overall body weight and fat percentage. However, that is not the case with cacao powder.
In fact, it can help regulate weight gain through appetite reduction and giving that feeling of being full. It was also found that consuming cacao along with a low-carb diet expedites the weight loss process.
So if you’re looking to decrease those flabs and shed off some unwanted pounds, go with cacao.
Aids in cancer prevention
We all know someone who lost their lives because of cancer. This destructive illness is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with 1.7 million cases diagnosed in the United States for the year 2018 alone.
Although an active and healthy lifestyle is key to cancer prevention, a superfood like cacao is also a welcome supplement. Previous research has found that cocoa itself bears antioxidant effects that prevent inflammation and cancer cell growth. Another study was done on animals, showing how cocoa extracts were able to prevent liver, colon, and pancreatic cancer from developing.
Prevention is definitely better than cure and adding cacao to your diet is a huge first step towards that direction.
Keyword: cacao nibs
A good source of calcium
We all know the great benefits that calcium gives to our bodies, particularly our entire skeletal system. But apart from bone health, this nutrient also helps regulate and stabilize nerve, heart, and muscle functions.
Cacao powder is a very reliable source of calcium. In fact, it contains 160 mg of this nutrient per 100 grams of cacao. Milk even pales in comparison, with just 125 mg of calcium per 100 ml.
Having a glass of milk is still good, but in case you run out, cacao powder would be your next best bet.
Greatly improves skin and teeth condition
Here’s a bonus item on this list. When you think of cacao powder, the last thing that would probably come to mind would be its benefits for the skin and teeth. Well, this wonder can actually be of great help in that aspect, as well.
How so? While there have no studies done on humans just yet, research done on rats with oral bacteria showed how cocoa extract was helpful in minimizing dental cavities. But as for its benefits on humans, other findings showed how favorable cacao’s polyphenols are to skin health and acne prevention.
The verdict
While more research is required to render foolproof results about the health benefits of cacao powder, some proof is already in the pudding. One way or another, adding cacao to your diet can only be beneficial for you, both for your short-term and long-term health.
In any case, it wouldn’t hurt to have a healthy serving of cacao every now and then. Not only does it come with tremendous health benefits, but it also tastes good. If you ask me, that is a win-win situation I’d have any day.
Vegan Chocolate Mousse a perfect healthy dessert with organic cacao powder.
You can BUY this product directly here on our WEBSITE or buy it from our Amazon.com USA Store HERE.
More Amazing Things To Know on our Raw Organic Cacao Powder below:
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- FAQ’s on our Raw Organic Cacao Powder
- Raw Organic Cacao Powder Recipe
- Recipes using Cacao Powder, Maca Powder and Coconut Oil
- How To Make Organic Cacao Butter
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