![]() * Cacao Benefit #2: Supports Healthy Blood PressureĬacao is especially high in flavonols, which are secondary metabolites found in plants that have an antioxidant effect. And theobromine is a compound that positively affects our mood and energy levels. ![]() Anandamide is a natural chemical molecule that helps support a state of bliss. Phenylethylamine is an adrenal-related chemical that occurs when you feel excited or in love. Tyrosine is the precursor to dopamine, which is the brain chemical responsible for feelings of reward and motivation (2). If you’ve ever bitten into a piece of dark chocolate and felt blissful, it’s not your imagination! Cacao contains natural mood-lifting “bliss chemicals” like tyrosine, phenylethylamine, anandamide, and theobromine. Cacao Benefit #1: Supports A Positive MoodĬhocolate lovers are probably already familiar with this benefit. Now that you’ve got a solid understanding of what raw cacao is and what makes it so unique, let’s get to the good stuff: the health benefits of cacao. This is what makes raw cacao a truly impressive superfood. But even if you purchase unsweetened cocoa powder, it won’t have the same nutritional makeup as cacao because of the heat processing used.īefore cacao is processed into cocoa, it contains a whole host of health-nourishing compounds. This is then processed further to make all the not-so-great-for-you chocolate products available at the store. The paste is then heated in order to dry it into a powder. Cocoa is made when the cacao beans are crushed and ground into a paste. Today, it is grown all over the world with much of it coming from Africa.Ĭacao is where cocoa comes from. What Is Cacao?Ĭacao comes from the Theobroma cacao tree, a name derived from Greek meaning “food of the gods.” It was originally only grown in Central and South America where it was very much treated as a sacred food. The secret to chocolate’s superfood status is in its purest form: cacao! It’s the raw cacao that boasts some serious health benefits. ![]() ![]() But what is it that makes chocolate so healthy? It’s certainly not the harsh processing and added sweeteners in most of the chocolate you find in the store. Chocolate is arguably everyone’s favorite superfood and everyone seems to be talking about cacao benefits. ![]()
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