What Are The Health Benefits Of Cacao?

What Are The Health Benefits Of Cacao?

Cacao is a plant belonging to the same family as coffee and also been known as “Food of the Gods”. It is a rich source of antioxidants. These antioxidants fight against free radicals and help in preventing cancer and heart diseases. They can also reduce the aging process and help in boosting the memory. Cacao contains a compound called Phenylethylamine. This compound makes your feel happy, energetic and motivated. Phenylethylamine is a natural amphetamine. It is like a pick-me-up and helps by reducing the depression and stress. The combination of phenylethylamine and anandamide (a chemical compound) makes people feel good and decreases the chance of getting depressed. Cacao is also a great source of fiber and helps in boosting the immune system..

Is it OK to drink cacao every day?

Cacao is a rich way to get the nutrients and the benefits of cocoa without having to deal with the caffeine withdrawal. Unlike coffee, cacao is non-acidic and does not upset the stomach. It is easy to add cacao to your diet, either by adding it to smoothies and other beverages or eating it as cacao nibs. Cacao is said to have many health benefits, such as the ability to lower blood pressure and protect against cardiovascular disease. The cacao fruit and its seeds and pulp, which are used to make cocoa and chocolate, have been used in Mexican and Central American cultures for thousands of years to make a drink called chocolate. The seeds can be made into cacao butter, which is used in making chocolate, and the pulp can be made into a drink called cacao liquor..

Is cacao a Superfood?

Cacao is a super food that provide a lot of health benefits. It is a proven fact that it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. It is rich in magnesium which helps improving blood pressure. Cacao also have serotonin, an antioxidant that helps reducing stress and relieving depression. Some studies have proven that cacao is a natural mood booster. A moderate consumption of this Superfood will lead to a better mood and therefore a more productive life..

How much cacao should you eat a day?

Cacao is the dried and unprocessed form of cacao beans. It’s a popular ingredient in many desserts, and many say it’s a wonderful superfood. You can eat as much as you like as long as you don’t overindulge. As a healthy treat, an ounce of cacao a day is a good amount to consume..

What happens when you eat cacao everyday?

There are many health benefits from eating cacao. The most popular benefit is that it has a high antioxidant content that will benefit your heart and blood vessels. According to several studies, cacao can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Eating cacao everyday will also promote weight loss because it will suppress your appetite..

Is cacao better than cocoa?

I think the difference between cacao and cocoa is the type of cacao and the production process of cocoa beans. Cacao is derived from the seeds of the fruit while cocoa comes from cacao. Cacao is raw cacao while cocoa is roasted cacao. Many health benefits are associated with raw cacao while the benefits of cocoa are not so much. Both of them are rich in magnesium, iron, and zinc. The major difference between cacao and cocoa is the processing. Cacao is unprocessed while cocoa is processed. Cacao is known to have more antioxidants..

Is cacao really bad for you?

The raw cacao bean (or cacao nib) is considered to be very nutritious, which makes it so tempting to eat more than one might reasonably ingest. The issue is that it can be difficult to prevent over-eating of cacao, especially since it is so delicious! Cacao does contain some caffeine, but it is unlikely to cause caffeine headaches. On the other hand, cacao does contain caffeine. The recommended serving size is typically about one tablespoon of cacao nibs, or just over one-eighth of a cup of strong cacao nibs. If one were to eat more than that at once, it is possible to overdose on caffeine. The caffeine content of cacao can vary, but a good estimate is about 100 mg. per tablespoon. That means that a rather large serving of cacao nibs could contain around 200 mg. of caffeine, which is about the same as a cup of coffee. It’s also worth noting that cacao may also contain theobromine, a chemical that is a milder stimulant than caffeine. Cacao does contain a good amount of antioxidants, and can even contain a little sugar..

Is cacao good for sleep?

Cocoa has been used for over five thousand years in Central America, the Andes, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Mesoamerica. The Spanish drank chocolate to stay awake on long voyages. Chocolate fell out of favor in the 18 th century when people discovered that cocoa beans are made into chocolate, which is addictive. It has been believed that theobromine, which is a compound found in cacao, is what gives us energy and helps us become alert and focused. On the other hand, the flavanols in cacao have been found to improve circulation and promote relaxation and calmness. Studies have shown that eating dark chocolate can lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease. There is no evidence that eating cocoa or chocolate will help you sleep any better or longer than eating anything else that is good for you..

Is drinking raw cacao good for you?

Yes, drinking raw cacao is beneficial. Raw cacao has many health benefits. It is a rich source of antioxidants which reverse the effects of oxidative stress and build a stronger immune system. It is fat free and has no sugar. It contains magnesium and iron, which helps in improving brain function and heart health. Raw cacao benefits include lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. It has anti-aging properties and good for pregnant women. It reduces stress and gives a sense of well-being..

Is cacao good for your skin?

Yes, cacao is good for your skin. It contains lots of healthy vitamins and minerals. It has antioxidants which help in soothing irritation and redness on your skin. Cacao also contains flavonoids which also prevents the growth of bacteria. Cacao is an excellent source of anti oxidants that help in protecting the skin against the harmful effects of the sun. It helps in improving the elasticity of your skin. You can consume cacao by adding it to your favorite desserts. It tastes good. Cacao may also help in losing weight. It contains caffeine which helps in increasing your metabolism. It also helps in reducing the accumulation of fat in the body..

Is cacao anti inflammatory?

Cacao is often thought to be an anti inflammatory food. As it is high in flavonoids and good fats, and is relatively low in carbohydrates and proteins, this is a reasonable assumption. However, the effect cacao has on inflammation when consumed is less well researched when compared to other foods..

Is it good to drink hot cocoa before bed?

Drinking cocoa before bed is good if you are consuming low fat or low sugar variant. You can also add few nuts or seeds to take care of your requirement of protein. Recent studies have shown that chocolates might help you sleep better at night. Drinking hot cocoa before bed might reduce the muscle tension which is often responsible for sleepless nights. However, melted chocolate can have high sugar content so it would be good to be careful with the amount..

Is cacao good for weight loss?

Cacao nibs can be consumed as a health food. The good news is that they contain theobromine and PEA (phenylethylamine), which are both mood enhancers and serotonin boosters. What’s even better is that cacao nibs can also help you lose weight. The various antioxidants and minerals in cacao nibs also help you achieve healthy weight loss. These include: ? Reducing the formation of fat in the liver ? Encouraging lean muscle mass in the body ? Lowering the levels of cholesterol in the body ? Preventing the formation of blood clots in the body ? Decreasing heart disease in addition to lowering total cholesterol in the body With the above in mind, it goes to say that Cacao nibs are indeed good for weight loss. ____________ References ____________ http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-989-cacao.aspx?activeingredientid=989&activeingredientname=Cacao http://www.webmd.com/diet/tc/cacao-cacao-nutrition.

Is cacao high in potassium?

Cacao is high in potassium. However, cacao has trace amounts of other minerals, including calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and selenium. It is also high in fiber, protein, and fatty acids..

Does raw cacao have caffeine?

Raw cacao beans have a small amount of caffeine, around 1/10 of a cup of coffee. The exact amount of caffeine in a cacao bean depends on the variety of the cacao plant, as well as growing conditions..