Cacao is known as the "King of Antioxidants" in the Amazon.
In comparison to the usual "Cocoa" that most of us grew up within our Afghan cookies, raw cacao has a stronger flavour. Cacao (pronounced "cu-COW") is a term that refers to the Theobroma Cacao tree, from which Cocoa is produced, and it is also used to refer to raw cacao beans that have not been treated in any way.
Standard cacao powder and chocolate are chemically processed and roasted, which results in the loss of a significant percentage of the antioxidants and flavanols in the product (the things that keep you young and healthy). According to recent research, the conventional "Dutch processing" of cacao results in the loss of between 60 and 90 percent of the natural antioxidants found in the cacao bean. It was initially designed in the early nineteenth century to lessen bitterness, deepen the colour, and produce a more mellow flavour in chocolate, but it ended up eliminating a lot of the deliciousness as a result of the procedure.
Additionally, non-organic cocoa (and non-organic chocolate) has been subjected to extensive pesticide and fumigation treatments, and it may include genetically modified (GMO) ingredients.
Furthermore, according to Oxfam, over 70% of the world's cocoa is cultivated by indigenous tribes, who are given such a low salary that poverty is common in these areas. In other cases, child slaves are exploited, and they are forced to participate in risky activities such as machete work and the application of harmful pesticides, among other things. An excellent reason to go for a bar of fairly traded chocolate the next time you have a sweet tooth!
Raw Organic Cacao Has 5 Health Benefits
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1. Blueberries have 40 times the antioxidants of strawberries
Raw organic cacao has more antioxidants than blueberries by a factor of more than 40. Yes, 40 times in a row! It has an incredible ORAC value of 98,000 per 100g, whilst blueberries only have a score of 2,400 per 100g. The capacity of antioxidants to absorb free radicals (which are produced by pollution and poisons in our environment) is measured by their ORAC scores. Free radicals cause cell and tissue damage and may lead to illnesses such as cancer if they are not neutralised.
2. Iron from plants is the most abundant plant-based source
Are you following a plant-based or vegan diet and in need of iron? The hunt has come to an end! Cacao is the largest plant-based supply of iron known to man, with 7.3mg of iron per 100g of cacao. In comparison, steak and lamb have 2.5mg of cholesterol while spinach has 3.6mg. Remember that the iron in cacao is non-heme (as is all plant-based iron), so if you want to get the full advantages of this food, you'll want to pair it with some vitamin C. Fruits such as oranges, kiwifruit, superfoods such as gubinge or Camu Camu (which have 40x more vitamin C than oranges), or my Choc Orange Smoothie recipe, which has a Jaffa-like flavour, come to mind.
3. Magnesium-rich for a heart and brain that function properly
Raw Organic Cacao is also one of the most abundant plant-based sources of magnesium, which is the mineral with the greatest deficiency in the Western world. Magnesium is essential for maintaining a healthy heart and for converting glucose into energy, which allows your brain to function with laser-sharp clarity and attention. Here's why you may go for a bar of chocolate after a marathon workday at the office!
4. It contains much more calcium than cow's milk
Believe it or not, raw organic cacao has more calcium than cow's milk. Cacao contains 160 mg of calcium per 100g, whilst cow's milk contains just 125 mg of calcium per 100ml. It's time to ditch the skinny latte in favour of a couple of pieces of dairy-free raw chocolate, says the author.
5. It's a natural mood enhancer and antidepressant that works
Cacao is an excellent source of four scientifically established happiness chemicals – serotonin, tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylethylamine – which are found in high concentrations in cacao. In addition to warm sensations of wellness and pleasure, these neurotransmitters have been shown to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. This is a natural, nutritious, tasty (and legal) method to get that joyful feeling going.
