What Is Organic Cacao Powder?
Nov 22nd 2021
Raw or organic cacao is somewhat different from the common “cocoa” most of us grew up with. Cacao refers to the Theobroma Cacao tree from which Cocoa is derived, and is used when referring to unprocessed versions of the cacao bean. Cacao beans are destined to become cacao powder and cacao nibs aren’t roasted at these high temperatures. Instead, they’re processed at low temperatures and then milled into a powder.
What are the amazing Cacao Powder Health Benefits?
As well as being high in flavanols, cacao powder is also a natural source of:1
- protein, required to maintain and grow muscle mass
- fiber, supporting a healthy gut
- magnesium, essential for energy metabolism and healthy psychological function, bones, and teeth
- potassium, important for muscular and neurological function
- antioxidants, supporting radiant, younger-looking skin
- natural compounds that are known to reduce anxiety and lift our moods
Let’s explore more the powerful health and beauty benefits of Cacao Powder.
1.Good For The Brain
The flavonoids in cacao and chocolate have been shown to have a positive effect on the brain - helping improve various types of cognitive and visual tasks. This is a result of more efficient blood flow to different nerve tissues, which regulate and control bodily functions and activity. One study of healthy volunteers showed that after just 5 days of consuming high-flavanol cacao there was improved blood flow to the brain.2
2.Great Stress Reliever
Eating dark chocolate can help reduce anxiety, positively affect mood and relieve symptoms of depression. The research compared chocolate consumption with depressive symptoms in 13,000 US adults. People who ate dark chocolate in the past 24 hours were 70% less likely to report feelings of depression.3
3.Rich in Anti-aging Properties
Not only can it improve thinking skills but the high antioxidant content found in cacao powder can also counteract or slow down cognitive decline during aging. It’s not just our insides that can benefit from the anti-aging powers of cacao - polyphenol antioxidants found in cacao protect our cells from premature oxidation or destruction and can keep us looking and feeling younger too.4
4.Stabilize Blood Pressure
Healthy blood flow is needed for the heart, brain, skin, eyes, liver, immune system, digestive system, and more to work properly. It’s even important for our exercise performance and recovery. Hence, it has been proven that cacao powder is good for your heart because it is packed with potassium. Potassium has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease by reducing lower body inflammation and stress on cells.5
5.Stabilize Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors worldwide, and the majority of those who have it typically use drug therapy to control it. However, this is not the only option and there are proven methods to lower your blood pressure naturally, with the help of cacao. Cacao powder’s nutrients have been shown to help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to the brain and heart, and aid in preventing blood clots.6
TAKEAWAY:
Raw cacao powder is essentially chocolate in its purest form. It’s straight out of the cacao pod, right from the bean, unroasted and relatively unprocessed.
You can enjoy cacao health benefits from pHresh Certified Organic Cacao Powder. This superfood powder has been sourced naturally to keep most of the nutritional value intact. This is really perfect for chocolate lovers! It’s healthier and won’t cost you an arm and a leg!
REFERENCES:
1https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cacao-powder#1
2https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3575938/
3https://neurosciencenews.com/dark-chocolate-depression-14641/
4https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4696435/