Cacao: The superfood

Category: Healthy news

19 04

Cacao powder versus chocolate

Although cocoa (chocolate) and cacao powder are both derived from the same cacao bean, there is a marked difference in health benefits between the two. Cocoa (typical chocolate found in stores) is obtained after cacao beans are roasted at high temperatures, thus destroying many antioxidant phytonutrients. Furthermore, cocoa goes through an alkalizing process to make the flavor and color more “chocolate” marketable, thus losing much of the magnesium and calcium of the natural cacao bean. cacao benefits

Even worse, saturated fats and refined sugar (sucrose) are added to cocoa to make it a high-calorie dessert and not a superfood.

In contrast, cacao powder is a superfood. How so? Raw cacao powder contains hundreds of nutrient compounds including phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals (magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium) and omega 6 fatty acids.

One of cacao’s phytonutrients is anandamide, a natural euphoric lipid compound. Anandamide binds to cannabinoid receptors in your brain and mimics the psychoactive effects of cannabis. In fact, several studies even demonstrate that anandamide is involved in the addiction-producing actions of other (abused) drugs, acting as a behavioral reinforcer.

Another reason why chocolate does not have cacao’s health benefits is that its nutritional qualities are degraded through intense, high-heat processing. Raw cacao products are simply a lightly processed form or an isolated part of the cacao bean. No further ingredients are added. Some examples include raw cacao powder, raw cacao nibs, and cacao butter. These products are created through fermentation, light roasting, dehydration, or extraction.

Spiritual and Feminine Properties of Cacao

Particularly among the Mayans and Aztecs, ancient Mesoamerican societies gave cocoa a holy importance closely entwined with feminine energy and symbolism. From Ixcacao among the Maya and Cihuacoatl among the Aztecs, cocoa was frequently connected with goddesses of fertility, love, and abundance. Reflecting cocoa’s function as a heavenly gift from the ground, these deities were respected for their nurturing and life-giving powers.

Rituals and ceremonies honoring these deities and calling their blessings for fertility, wealth, and spiritual direction included cocoa. Consuming it was seen as a means of communing with the divine feminine and gathering her nurturing impulses.

How are cocoa and cacao processed

The beans from the cacao pods are dried, then fermented, and finally roasted at a high temperature to produce cocoa powder.

When these beans undergo this process, the fat in the beans separates. This is cocoa butter!

And this is the base ingredient used to make chocolate and also the ingredient that gives the chocolate a velvety and rich mouthfeel.

The dry solids that are left behind from this process are turned into cocoa powder by grinding the solids into a powdery form.

The cacao beans that are processed at high temperatures are turned into cocoa powder. But when the beans aren’t roasted at all, you get cacao.

What Are Cacao Nibs

Cacao nibs are the crushed seeds or beans of the cacao fruit. “Generally, cacao beans consist of about 50% fat (cocoa butter) and the remainder is proteins, nutrients, starches, minerals and water,” Rogan explains. “There are more than 600 different flavor compounds (odor-active) naturally present in cacao beans, which shows the vast flavor potential of cacao and chocolate.”

To make cacao nibs, Rogan and the Goodnow Farms Chocolate team hand sort cacao beans and remove defects, roast the beans for their specific origin profile, winnow the beans to break off and remove the outer shell/husk and collect the flavorful cacao nibs inside. “If we were making chocolate, we would continue our process and grind these nibs with sugar and our freshly-pressed cocoa butter in our melanguers,” Rogan says. “But you can also eat these crushed seeds as is with no sugar added and enjoy deep and rich flavors.”

Health Benefits of Cacao

1. Cacao is High in Antioxidants

Cacao contains higher amounts of antioxidants than green tea, red wine, blueberries, and goji berries. Antioxidants are important to help prevent many forms of lifestyle diseases, including various cancers, heart disease, and diabetes.

To measure a food's antioxidant capacity, an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) score is given. Raw cacao powder (summarized as dark chocolate) tops the list as one of the highest antioxidant-rich foods (source). Much of cacao’s benefits are derived from its high antioxidant levels.

2. Cacao May Reduce the Effects of Depression

Is it any wonder why we reach for chocolate when we're feeling down? Cacao contains a chemical substance called anandamide, which is said to reduce the effects of depression via its euphoric effects (source). While the tasty treat is no replacement for medicine, the mood-enhancing health benefits of cacao can be used as a quick pick-me-up on any bad day. Cacao is good for you when you’re feeling sad and unhappy.

3. Cacao is Naturally Low in Sugar

Clearly, we're not talking processed chocolate here. Another cacao benefit is that the pure bean is naturally low in sugar. Pure cacao beans also contain high amounts of essential fatty acids, making them a great low-carb snack!

4. Cacao is High in Fiber and Iron

Crushed cacao beans on a flat surface

A one ounce serving of our non-fermented cacao powder contains around 15% of your recommended daily intake of iron and 28% of your fiber requirements. You can use cacao on meat, desserts, and chili to boost your iron and fiber intake.

5. Cacao May Lower the Risk of Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease

Cacao’s benefits may also protect you from disease. Cacao contains high amounts of polyphenols. Studies have shown that polyphenols may help to reduce oxidative stress and insulin resistance. These are both important factors in potentially reducing blood pressure and heart disease risks (source).

In addition, polyphenols may help protect you from (or even delay) chronic neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease (source). While we would love for cacao to be a cure for such diseases, we know that the health benefits of cacao can help arm your body against them. We told you... cacao can be good for you!

6. Cacao Might Help You Lose Weight

You will love this cacao benefit! Research suggests that cacao may help with weight loss by improving mitochondrial biogenesis and increasing muscle glucose intake (source). Of course, having a healthy, balanced diet is an important factor in losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight, but cacao can be a part of a balanced diet.

7. Cacao May Reduce Cortisol and Inflammation

Cacao contains a specific flavanol called epicatechin, which has been attributed to cacao's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency (source). Cortisol is the body's stress hormone that produces the fight or flight response when we feel fearful, stressed, or in danger. Unfortunately, too much cortisol floating around the body also leads to inflammation (source). Have you ever reached for chocolate when you feel stressed? Now you know why!

8. Cacao Contains a Wide Variety of Micronutrients

Brown powder in a glass jar and scoop

Another cacao benefit is that it is a rich source of micronutrients. Micronutrients are vital to your health and help promote healthy bones, hair, skin, and nails. Cacao is rich in several micronutrients which include magnesium, chromium, copper, zinc, and calcium to name just a few. Cacao’s health benefits combined with a balanced diet may boost your overall well being.

Since cacao can be good for you, you may want to try to include it in a healthy diet. It's important to source high-quality and organic cacao powder, such as Wildly Organic's raw fermented cacao powder and non-fermented cacao powder. Again, additional processing may degrade many of these nutritional benefits

Dark Chocolate is Key:
To reap the cognitive benefits, it's important to choose dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (at least 70%) to ensure a good amount of flavanols

Disclaimer: This website is for information purposes only. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative or conventional treatment regime, it is advisible to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.