THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANTIOXIDANT-PACKED CACAO

April 02, 2018 by Renee Tavoularis

Cacao is a powerful addition to your nutritional arsenal, offering substantial amounts of critical antioxidants and numerous health benefits.

CACAO VS. COCOA: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Cacao powder and cocoa powder look quite similar, but there are important differences. Cacao is far less processed than cocoa powder, making it the purest form of chocolate available. Cacao powder is made from unroasted cocoa beans, and cocoa powder is made from roasted cocoa beans. Since cacao is not treated with heat, it contains more of the helpful living enzymes your body needs.

Raw cacao is the highest known source of antioxidants, which work to neutralize the damage done by dangerous free radical molecules. It contains more antioxidants than other fruits and vegetables, which can be welcome news for those who struggle with getting the recommended five serving of fruits and vegetables per day. Cacao has almost four times more antioxidants than cocoa and more than 20 times the antioxidants of blueberries.

In addition to antioxidants, cacao contains a variety of other nutrients that are important to your health. For example, cacao contains more magnesium than any other food. Other nutrients include sulfur, protein, carotene, riboflavin, calcium, flavonoids, thiamin, phenylethylamine (PEA) and essential fatty acids. 

KEY HEALTH BENEFITS OF CACAO

Antioxidants have been shown to improve health in many ways. Some of the most important antioxidants in cacao are flavonoids, which have been shown to increase healthy cholesterol and reduce inflammation in the body — both critical for cardiovascular health.

The flavonoids in cacao serve another important purpose when it comes to your health, as they can reduce your body’s insulin resistance — a precursor to Type II diabetes. When cells develop insulin resistance, they don’t process sugar properly. This causes a buildup of sugar in your blood. However, research has demonstrated that eating cacao each day can help cells transform sugar into energy.

The phenylethylamine (PEA) in cacao may be the best part of the nutritional package, as this chemical has been shown to increase energy and improve your mood. Some even call it the “love drug,” because when it combines with dopamine, you feel the euphoria associated with falling in love.

INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF CACAO IN YOUR DIET

It’s easy to add more cacao to your diet, because it tastes quite similar to cocoa. Substitute cacao powder for cocoa powder in recipes for baked goods, or add raw cacao to your smoothies. Cacao can be slightly more bitter than its dark-roasted counterpart. The extra level of flavor appeals to most people, particularly when paired with sweeter foods. Try cacao nibs mixed with nuts and dried fruit, or mix cacao into your coffee. You can enjoy a mocha drink without the all of the sugar that comes with commercial mocha coffee products.
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