When it comes to dietary health benefits, sweets are usually out of the question. But what if I told you there was a way to “have your cake and eat it too”? (literally)
Well there is, just as long as the flavor is chocolate!
Leafy greens and bitter fruits aren’t the only ways to harness natural cures from what you eat.
Cacao, a main ingredient in chocolate, is one of the BEST superfoods on the planet that can give you the same fix you’re looking for.
Yes, I’m encouraging you to eat more of those delicious brown squares. Here’s why…
Just so we’re clear, not all chocolate is created equal. As a rule of thumb, the darker, the better as it tends to contain more cacao.
But if you’re unable to sneak a peek of the color of your candy bar, manufacturers usually help you out by listing the cacao as a percentage on the label.
Thinking you can get away with eating Hershey bars on a regular basis? Think again…
The company’s special dark chocolate only contains 45% cacao and makes up for what’s missing with added chemicals and unnecessary amounts of artificial sweeteners.
Brands like Lily’s and Taza lean more towards the natural side of things and have as much as 95% cacao!
So if you’re looking for a healthier way to satisfy your craving for chocolate, go with the all-natural alternatives that offer a higher cacao content.
But what is cacao and why should you care about it?
Beans are probably the furthest thing away from chocolate you can get, but that’s exactly where cacao comes from!
The cacao bean grows on trees found in Central and South America and is a staple for just about any type of chocolate you can find.
Not only does it deserve credit for the earthy dark chocolate taste that so many taste buds grow fond of, but it’s responsible for COUNTLESS health benefits too.
Believe it or not, Cacao is packed with powerful antioxidants that are shown to be more effective than blueberries or acai.
It also contains beneficial psychoactive compounds, such as caffeine and theobromine, that boost mood and cognition.
The bean itself offers more calcium than cow’s milk, among other minerals like iron and magnesium that have been proven to reduce stress and high blood pressure.
Cacao even has protein, fiber and one of the healthiest natural fats in the world!
On top of that, it’s also known for its aphrodisia status or the ability to stimulate sexual desire.
The list goes on and on… But it’s no wonder why this ingredient found in chocolate is considered to be a true superfood.
However you want to incorporate cacao into your diet is up to you, just remember all the natural health perks that come along with consuming it.
Feel free to mix up your own recipes of baked goods and smoothies or try brands like Lily’s and Taza that contain high cacao percentages right out of the box.
