Cacao, the plant that chocolate is made of, is an incredible, powerful and very generous plant. "Chocolate” as many people understand it to be, has be highly processed and refined, often with the addition of sugar, milk and additives, which vastly diminishes the Cacao’s health benefits. Here's a photo of a Cacao pod, it's beans, some ceremonial Cacao paste, and a vanilla bean which is like Cacao's divine lover :)
In it’s unrefined state (as in Cacao beans, nibs, and Ceremonial Cacao paste) it has many health benefits. The Aztecs called it “Yollotl Eztli,” which means “heart blood,” turns out it can indeed support a healthy cardiovascular system. One of it’s funnest attribute is that it’s a known aphrodisiac; the theobromine in the Cacao stimulates the cardiovascular system, and increases blood flow.
Cacao also contains Anandamide, known as the “bliss chemical,” a cannabinoid endorphin that’s is naturally produced after exercising AND it has an enzyme that slows the breakdown of Anandamide, so that feel good feeling stays longer! Tryptophan (yes the stuff that’s in Turkey!), a precursor to serotonin and mood enhancing nutrient, is another gift that Cacao has to offer us!
In addition to all the feel good effects, Cacao is an excellent source of antioxidants, containing more antioxidants than red wine, blueberries, acai, pomegranate and goji berries combined!! And it’s a good source of iron, magnesium, chromium - a trace mineral that up to 80% of American are deficient in.
Obviously when all this unrefined, natural goodness is mixed with crappy sugar, chemicals, and dairy, “chocolate” becomes junk food that causes damage. So go for dark, unrefined, vegan Cacao to get the benefits.
Anyone here consuming Cacao for it's health benefits? What are you favorite ways to eat Cacao?