Raw Cacao: Life Energy offered to us

"To be healthy, I have to give up all my favorite treats, right?"

Not quite. Here's where it gets interesting: Raw cacao, the original unprocessed nibs or powder from cocoa beans, is good for you and can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

History and Terminology

Humans' love affair with cacao is impressive:

• -Cacao tree: living on Earth for 4,000+ years
• -Cocoa: roasted beans from the cacao tree
• -Cocoa butter: fats extracted from cacao beans
• -Pre-Olmec civilization in Mexico: used raw cacao starting 1900 BC
• -14th Century Aztecs/Mayas: used cacao as currency, treasuring it as a gift from the gods for mood enhancement and aphrodisiac powers
• -17th Century Europe: used to heal throat and heart pain
• -1847: First chocolate bar created (cocoa butter + powder + sugar)

The problem: Industrial processing made chocolate appealing but harmful to health.

What Raw Cacao Contains

One of the Richest Antioxidant Foods

Raw cacao contains:

• -Flavonoids: 20 times more concentrated than in green tea, blueberries, or acai berries
• -Epicatechin: Powerful anti-inflammatory, decreases stroke/heart failure/cancer/diabetes risk
• -Resveratrol: Protects the nervous system, crosses the blood-brain barrier, decreases CNS inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's)

Theobromine: A Mild Stimulant

This is the "caffeine" in raw cacao:

• -Increases circulation and blood flow
• -More oxygen to brain and body
• -Cells function at their best
• -Releases serotonin
• -Improves mood, stimulates brain, increases alertness and happiness
• -Can help treat depression

Essential Minerals and Vitamins

Rich in potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, E. These regulate metabolism, boost immune system, strengthen bones, help manage stress, protect from early disease onset.

Healthy Fats

Raw cacao is rich in healthy, mostly saturated fats (not the type that makes you fat). These:

• -Balance hormones and blood sugar
• -Help eliminate bad fats
• -Proven health boosters

Proven Health Benefits

• -Mood enhancement and depression help
• -Decreases insulin resistance (helps diabetes)
• -Improves vessel elasticity (cardiovascular health)
• -Decreases blood pressure and LDL levels
• -Neuroprotective (decreases Alzheimer's risk)
• -Anti-aging
• -Protects skin from UV damage
• -Improves gut flora
• -Decreases stress
• -Improves endurance
• -Anti-carcinogenic

Important: Once beans are heated to high temperatures or processed, many benefits are destroyed as antioxidants and nutrients are lost.

Raw vs. Processed Chocolate

Raw cacao nibs are bitter. To reduce bitterness, manufacturers remove antioxidants and add sweeteners and pasteurized milk — killing beneficial compounds.

Order of preference:

1. -Raw cacao nibs
2. -Organic dark chocolate (70%+ cacao, minimal sugar)
3. -Cocoa powder
4. -Milk chocolate (avoid)
5. -White chocolate (no cocoa at all, just pasteurized milk, sugar, chemicals)

Usage

Don't consume more than 1-2 tbsp raw cacao nibs daily. The stimulant is mild and shouldn't be addictive, but some may experience withdrawal if consumed excessively for long periods.

Rule of thumb: Vary your foods. Change keeps your experience interesting.

Hope this helps you make better choices for your next treats.

In Health and Happiness,

Stephanie