11 Benefits of Chocolate

Cacao Beans and Nibs

Raw cacao (kaw-cow) is the raw, unprocessed and completely natural ingredient that is the base of chocolate products. Raw cacao has all the health benefits that chocolate is promoted to have. Why not consume the base ingredient that has all of those benefits as well as incredible taste and without many other not so health beneficial ingredients?

Here are 11 of the many benefits of raw cacao. All of the chemicals, nutrients and properties listed are naturally occurring:

1. Creates a good feeling with the help of bliss chemicals. When we are feeling great our bodies have released the bliss neurotransmitter called anandamine. Cacao contains this same neurotransmitter. That's why eating chocolate creates a feeling of bliss.
2. Mood enhancing tryptophan is an amino acid in cacao that is known to help with feeling good, sleeping well and weight loss.
3. Weight loss. Yes cacao can be used for weight loss, ever notice how many "diet" products contain chocolate? Cacao contains many mood elevating chemicals, energy boosting properties and lessens appetite.
4. Repairs damage in the body with it's high content of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants neutralize free radicals, which are unpaired electrons that race through the body causing damage.
5. Boosts energy with theobromine and caffeine. The caffeine in raw cacao has a milder effect than the caffeine in roasted foods such as cocoa, coffee and tea. Raw cacao provides energy without the jitters. This is the case with many that are sensitive to caffeine, like myself, but can vary depending on the individual.
6. Supports the heart and cardiovascular system through many nutrients such as magnesium, anti-oxidants and bliss chemicals that help to expand the heart chakra.
7. Natures aphrodisiac with mood enhancing chemicals, dopamine and arginine cacao stimulates the senses for romance.
8. My favourite mineral is magnesium. It helps muscles relax, releases tension and stress, helps with cleansing, aids calcium absorption for strong bones and does so much more. Cacao is magnesium rich, no wonder it is craved during PMS; the body knows what it needs.
9. Good for the environment as well as good for you. Cacao that is grown organically means it is pesticide and herbicide free, which is better for the soil, our health and the health of farmers . Cacao trees are shade grown, which means cacao farms are grown in rainforest saving them from being logged.
10. Supports mental function with omega-3 fatty acids, a.k.a. brain fuel. Our brains are made primarily of fat and need healthy fats to function optimally. Most North Americans do not get enough healthy fats and get too many unhealthy fats. All the nutrients and anti-oxidants in cacao also support the brain.
11. It tastes amazing! That is the most important reason to eat cacao. Food has to taste good to be enjoyed and fully benefited from. To learn how to make the best tasting cacao sweet and savoury treats join the upcoming Find Your Passion Through Chocolate Workshop.

This info was found in the amazing book all about raw cacao. Naked Chocolate: The Astonishing Truth About the World's Greatest Food