Heavenly Nutritious Cacao

Natures Cacao

Cacao is an ancient food source that was revered by many cultures because of its amazing health benefits and outstanding taste. At one point Cacao was so valued that it was even used as a form of currency. Raw Cacao comes from seeds of the Theobroma Cacao plant which grows naturally in South America, the West Indies and parts of Africa.

Choose Cacao! Not Cocoa

Cacao is the raw, unprocessed Cacao bean and is considered a "Superfood" due to its very high Antioxidant and nutritional value. Cocoa on the other hand is produced through the process of roasting Raw Cacao beans resulting in a significant loss of Antioxidants and nutrients. In fact, while Cacao has an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity - The method in which foods Antioxidant levels are determined) value of around 95,500, Cocoa only has a value of 26,500.

Raw Cacao is an excellent source of essential Plant based protein, Fatty acids, Fiber, Flavanoids, Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, Calcium. Manganese and Sulfur while Cocoa has little or no nutritional value.

Benefits of Raw Cacao

• High in Antioxidants

• Reduces appetite

• Regulate Blood sugar

• Helps with Weight loss

• Regulates blood pressure and heart rate

• Helps promote Cardiovascular health

• Helps reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks

• Helps increase mental focus and alertness

• Balances brain chemistry

• Dilates blood vessels and reduces blood clotting

• Strengthens bones

• Helps reduce and regulate PMS

• Detoxifies the liver

• Aids pancreas function

• Anti-aging

Boost your mood!

Raw Cacao can boost your mood and give you an improved sense of well-being. This is because Cacao contains;

• Endorphin's - which helps provide a feeling of pleasure

• Anandamide - Often referred to as the "bliss chemical" as its released by the brain when we feel happy.

• Serotonin - Acts as an anti-depressant and promotes an overall sense of well-being.

• Phenylethylamine - Acts as a mild mood elevator and improves mental performance.

So how can I add Raw Cacao to my diet?

Raw Cacao is becoming more and more popular is now easy to get hold of online and in health food shops in powder, nibs, butter and a more familiar chocolate bar form. These are exceptional ways to include this incredible superfood in our diet for improved health and well being and more and more people are using Raw Cacao in dessert and smoothie recipes. However. if you don't have time to create your own Cacao deserts there are some really good bean -to- bar chocolate makers out there at the moment.

Solkiki is one such company I stumbled upon at a Vegi-fest last year and have been purchasing chocolate bars from them ever since.

Here's a quick tip.. The higher the content the better ;)

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