Raw cacao - properties and the magic 42 degrees.

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Raw cacao - it is worth consuming because it is tasty and healthy!

Before reaching for a favorite treat or food, many of us ponder one key question: is what I'm about to eat healthy? This problem applies especially to sweet or fatty snacks, including cocoa products, which raw cocoa - without a doubt - is. However, it's easy to see that raw cocoa (ceremonial cocoa) is a more valuable alternative to traditional chocolate products, which can be enjoyed without fear or remorse. The benefits of real cocoa are determined by a friendlier production method and the absence of unhealthy additives - for these reasons it is classified as a „superfood”!

Raw cocoa vs processed - difference in production process

Zacznijmy od porównania składów prawdziwego kakao i tradycyjnych wyrobów czekoladowych. Surowe kakao nie zawiera dodatków takich jak mleko w proszku, biały cukier, aromaty czy emulgatory, a także żadnych barwników. Podczas produkcji prawdziwego kakao pierwotną, kakaową pulpę fermentuje się, suszy, praży, a na koniec mieli – i to tyle! Cały proces przebiega w magicznej temperaturze poniżej 42 st. Celsjusza, w której powstaje najlepszej jakości surowa masa kakao – z masy tej formowane są później bloki lub pastylki. Dzięki temu, że w procesie produkcji nie oddziela się od niego jego naturalnych tłuszczów, kakao ceremonialne pełne jest cennych składników odżywczych. Jakich? Przyjrzyjmy się im!W skład surowego kakao wchodzą antyoksydanty (katechiny, antocyjanidyny i proantocyjanidyny), błonnik, minerały (magnez, żelazo, chrom, fosfor, wapń, siarka, cynk i potas), witaminy z grupy B, witamina E, tłuszcz oleinowy, fitosterole, anandamid i teobromina ¹. Warto zaznaczyć tu, że surowe kakao nie zawiera glutenu i może być spożywane przez wegan.

Benefits of raw cocoa

Happiness, pleasure, more desire for sex!

As you can see, raw cacao contains a whole lot of valuable nutrients! So what effects can you expect when you consume real cocoa? Let's start with the fact that this healthy snack puts you in a pleasant mental and physical state and allows you to relax. This property is provided by one of its most important components - anandamide. This is an alkaloid that is sometimes called a „happiness neurotransmitter.” This substance produces effects similar to some of the effects of marijuana: it reduces pain and increases self-confidence. In addition, it also stimulates sexual desire and improves cardiovascular function ². Ceremonial cocoa also contains phenylethylamine, a compound belonging to the group of biogenic amines secreted in the human body when... we are in love. According to scientists, both of these compounds - anandamide and phenylethylamine - may be responsible for “runner's euphoria,” manifested in improved mood, increased endurance and pain tolerance. Phenylethylamine activates the action of serotonin, dopamine (“happy hormones”) and norepinephrine (stimulatory effect), among others.

Source: A study titled “Exercise activates the endocannabinoid system” conducted under the leadership of P. B. Sparling published in 2003 showed that runners and cyclists who train at high intensity have an increase in anandamide levels. According to them, the above alkaloid can induce a state similar to euphoria..

Raw cacao improves physical and mental performance

However, these are not all the benefits! Ceremonial cocoa / raw cocoa also has a beneficial effect on the regulation of „good” cholesterol, increases physical performance, improves concentration and stimulates thought processes. It has a stimulating and regenerative effect. Such properties are guaranteed by its high content of theobromine, another organic compound belonging to the alkaloids ³. It is estimated that in cocoa beans, this alkaloid makes up as much as 1.8% by dry weight. The plant's benefits were already enjoyed by the Mayans and Aztecs - it was not without reason that they called cacao the „drink of the gods”!

According to neuroekspert.org, a study by the National Heart and Lung Institute found that theobromine suppresses the cough reflex and also dilates blood vessels. According to the paper “The relevance of theobromine for the beneficial effects of cocoa consumption” (E. Martínez-Pinilla; A. Oñatibia-Astibia; R. Franco), it has no addictive properties and even has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. All this without adverse side effects!

Learn more about the history of cocoa.

Raw cacao in the service of beauty

Moving on, and the benefits only multiply, because raw cacao is also a rich source of magnesium! Magnesium is an element that is responsible for many functions in the body: from offsetting stress and fatigue, to preventing muscle cramps and supporting the immune system. Magnesium's lesser-known but equally important properties include improving the appearance of the skin. Magnesium delays the aging process, firms the skin and provides elasticity, and improves skin tone!

Delaying the aging process and preventing cancer

Not only magnesium, but also antioxidants in cocoa delay cellular aging. Such groups of compounds and compounds as catechins, anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins bind free radicals and reduce the risk of cancer. Vitamin E is also a good antioxidant found in raw cacao. It has a high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) coefficient, which indicates the effectiveness of binding free radicals ⁴. In addition, the antioxidants found in raw cacao reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, joint disease and vision problems ⁵.

Nourishing the body

Coming to the end, it is worth mentioning a few more nutritional benefits of raw cacao. Vitamin B, which is found in real cocoa, prevents the occurrence of many diseases, and by the way, when we consume this excellent snack, our risk of anemia decreases! According to begoodorganics.com, raw cacao is the best vegetable source of iron (7.3mg/100g). There is more than twice as much of it as in spinach and almost three times as much as in beef!

The spectrum of beneficial properties of raw cacao is even richer. This is demonstrated by numerous scientific studies, and even „insecure” content on blogs or on the edges of the Internet (often paid for by large corporations) leaves no doubt. It is worth consuming cocoa not only for taste, but also for health. It is a valuable enrichment of your daily diet and a treat you can indulge in without any worries!