Health Benefits of Cacao
Why Unprocessed Chocolate is Good for You!
Antioxidants:
Cacao has
more antioxidant flavonoids than any food tested so far,
including blueberries, red wine, and black and green teas. In fact, it
has up to four times the quantity of antioxidants found in green tea.
Health benefits of these antioxidants include:
- Promote cardiovascular health - Help dilate bloods vessels,
reduce blood clotting, improve circulation, help regulate heartbeat
and blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, and reduce the risk of
stroke and heart attacks.
- Protect from environmental and metabolic toxins - Help repair and resist damage caused by free radicals, and may reduce risk of certain cancers.
Neurotransmitters: By increasing the levels of specific
neurotransmitters in our brains, cacao promotes positive outlook,
facilitates rejuvenation and simply helps us feel good.
- Serotonin - Cacao raises the level of serotonin in the
brain; thus acts as an anti-depressant, helps reduce PMS symptoms, and
promotes a sense of well-being.
- Endorphins - Cacao stimulates the secretion of endorphins,
producing a pleasurable sensation similar to the “runner’s high” a
jogger feels after running several miles.
- Phenylethylamine - Found in chocolate, phenylethylamine is
also created within the brain and released when we are in love. Acts as
mild mood elevator and anti-depressant, and helps increase focus and
alertness.
- Anandamide - Anandamide is known as the “bliss chemical”
because it is released by the brain when we are feeling great. Cacao
contains both N-acylethanolamines, believed to temporarily increase the
levels of anandamide in the brain, and enzyme inhibitors that slow its
breakdown. Promotes relaxation, and helps us feel good longer.
Essential Minerals: Cacao beans are rich in a number of
essential minerals, including magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, zinc,
copper, potassium and manganese.
- Magnesium - Cacao seems to be the #1 source of magnesium of
any food. Magnesium balances brain chemistry, builds strong bones, and
helps regulate heartbeat and blood pressure. Magnesium deficiency,
present in 80% of Americans, is linked with PMT, hypertension, heart
disease, diabetes and joint problems.
- Sulfur - Cacao is high in the beauty mineral sulfur. Sulfur
builds strong nails and hair, promotes beautiful skin, detoxifies the
liver, and supports healthy pancreas functioning.
Essential fats: There is a misperception that chocolate
is fattening. In truth, the fats in cocoa butter are healthy fats.
Cacao contains oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, also
found in olive oil, that may raise good cholesterol. Also, substances
found in cacao are known to help reduce appetite.
NOW GO EAT SOME UNPROCESSED CHOCOLATE!!!
Source: http://livesuperfoods.com/raw-cacao-powder.html
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