Joyous Health by Joy McCarthy

Author:Joy McCarthy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US

Raw Cacao

Cacao, another ancient superfood, was once so valued by the Maya and the Aztecs that it was used as currency. You’ve probably heard about the health benefits of chocolate, but there’s more to the story, because not all chocolate is created equal. For instance, cocoa and cacao are very different. Cocoa, although it comes from the same source as cacao, is processed with heat and offers few to no health benefits, while raw cacao is truly a superfood. Because of the stimulating nature of the caffeine and theobromine in raw cacao, be cautious when introducing this superfood to your diet if it’s new to you.

How to enjoy it: My two favorite ways to enjoy cacao are by sprinkling the nibs on top of a smoothie for some crunch, and in a raw chocolate pudding (see my recipe on page 270) for an antioxidant punch. Cacao powder can be used in a smoothie (try my Raspberry Chocolate Cheesecake Smoothie on page 162), or you can get creative and make your own chocolate almond milk sweetened with stevia or coconut sugar by adding 2–3 tbsp raw cacao powder to the recipe on page 170.

JOYOUS FACTS ABOUT RAW CACAO

Chock-full of antioxidants. Cacao powder is one of the richest sources of antioxidants found in nature. There are more antioxidant flavonoids in cacao than in red wine or green tea.

Nutrient-dense. Raw cacao is rich in magnesium, and many researchers speculate that this is why women crave chocolate during PMS. Raw cacao also contains other essential minerals, among them calcium, zinc, iron, copper, sulfur and potassium.

Mood- and energy-boosting naturally occurring chemicals. All raw cacao products contain the unique alkaloid chemicals theobromine, phenylethylamine and anandamine.

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