What are Superfoods – Week3 – Raw Cacao

RAW CACAO POWDER

Cacao (ka-kow) is called a superfood because it is quite simply one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. Cacao is one of the best dietary sources of sulphur and magnesium, and is a positive powerhouse of minerals, along with many other health supporting elements.

Cacao is made by taking the raw cacao bean and pressing it at carefully regulated temperatures to remove the oils. To explain the difference between ‘Cacao’ and cocoa – commercial chocolate is processed by being subjected to scorching temperatures of up to 150°C and added with solvents; both of which destroy any nutrients and antioxidants.

During the processing of Raw Cacao, the temperature never exceeds 40°C, thus the heat-sensitive vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants remain intact.

The resulting Cacao is possibly the most concentrated source of antioxidants found in any food, 500 times richer than blueberries with a flavonol antioxidant count of a massive 10%!

Cacao is actually one of the most complex food substances on earth. It is made up of water, protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre, iron, calcium, B vitamins, vitamin C and E and at least 300 other identifiable chemical compounds and possibly up to 1,200 chemical constituents. Raw Cacao contains high amounts of magnesium – the most common deficient major mineral, even following a balanced diet.

It’s interesting to note that many women before and during their monthly-cycle, crave chocolate. Actually, it’s the magnesium content their body is after, rather than a sugar laden, fat rich, commercial bar which doesn’t offer any nutritional satiety. Whereas eating some Raw Cacao could be actually be the answer!

And there’s more…

If you feel that you are not getting enough iron – one small 28 gram serving of Raw Cacao (beans) gives you 314% of the recommended daily allowance of iron, plus an antioxidant (ORAC) score of 95,500, and to put that into perspective – that’s 14 times more antioxidant flavonoids than red wine and 21 times more than green tea!

And maybe the best bit…

Cacao has an abundance of natural anti-stress and anti-depressant compounds. It is known to help alleviate depression and create feelings of wellbeing and contentment, as it contains serotonin, tryptophan, anandamide, dopamine, phenylethylamine (PEA) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors – all of which are well documented  as having a positive effect on brain chemistry.

The key benefits of Cacao:

• It’s chocolate!!

• Free from sugar and dairy

• A powerful antioxidant

• A nutritional powerhouse; an excellent source of sulphur and magnesium

• Easy to use: Cacao Powder can replace cocoa powder in any recipe

• Known to boost good mood

• Can help you stay alert, focused and positive

• Loved by adults and kids alike

• Cacao Powder by Nutri Health is raw, vegan and pesticide free

Quick directions for using Cacao Powder:

• Delicious in smoothies, breakfasts or on desserts. Click here to view video of Raw Cacao Shake – Easy and Tasty

• Can replace cocoa powder in any recipe.

• Particularly good for making chocolate spreads, icings on cake, raw chocolate bars and puddings.

Remember though, for maximum nutritional benefits – Eat Your Cacao Raw – don’t cook with it!

You can purchase 100g Raw Cacao by Nutri Health at £2.95 and 250g Raw Cacao by Nutri Health at £5.95