cacao healthy?

[lydias]

I'm new to raw, 8 days :)

I've read that cacao nibs are not really that healthy. Same effect as chocolate. Anybody know the truth and if it has any effects?
I dont want to try it and start craving chocolate or caffeine!
Thanks.

[JGex]

Welcome!

Cacao IS chocolate in it's raw form. I get a slight caffeine buzz from it, and I won't eat it in the evenings.

[Veganforlife]

Hi! This is taken off of Alissa's store web site:

What is Cacao? Cacao is raw chocolate!
This is Peeled, raw, organic cacao bean nibs (raw chocolate pieces)

Now you can eat pure raw chocolate!
Make raw delights and frozen chocolate shakes!

What do you do with Cacao Nibs?
Add to coconut-based or fruit-based smoothies to enhance the flavor.
Add agave nectar or honey or another sweetening agent to the raw cacao nibs and chew!
Freeze cacao nibs with sweeteners (agave nectar or honey are fantastic). Eat cold.
Add cacao nibs to raw ice creams for the best chocolate chips in the world.
Make a shake with cacao, agave, macadamia nuts and water.
Make a chocolate dessert with cacao, agave, coconut oil, almond butter and sea salt. Freeze and rejoice!
Try eating them straight, a tablespoon at a time. Chew thoroughly and experience the taste extravaganza of raw chocolate. These cacao nibs taste like real chocolate.

1 pound bag
Refrigeration of these cacao nibs is not required, although recommended. Cacao nibs keep well in cool, dry conditions .

Stimulant or Superfood?

Cacao contains subtle amounts of caffeine and theobromine. However, experiments have shown that these stimulants are far different when consumed raw than cooked.

Consider the following: Experimental provings of chocolate by homeopaths indicate its stimulating effect when cooked. One experiment conducted with a decoction of roasted ground cacao beans in boiling water produced an excitement of the nervous system similar to that caused by black coffee, an excited state of circulation, and an accelerated pulse. interestingly, when the same decoction was made with raw, unroasted beans neither effect was noticeable, leading the provers to conclude that the physiological changes were caused by aromatic substances released during roasting.

Magnesium

Cacao is remarkably rich in magnesium.
Cacao seems to be the #1 source of magnesium of any food. This is likely the primary reason women crave chocolate during the menstrual period. Magnesium balances brain chemistry, builds strong bones, and is associated with more happiness. Magnesium is the most deficient major mineral on the Standard American Diet (SAD); over 80% of Americans are chronically deficient in Magnesium!

MAO Inhibitors

Cacao seems to diminish appetite, probably due to its monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) - these are different from digestive enzyme inhibitors found in most nuts and seeds. These rare MAO inhibitors actually produce favorable results when consumed by allowing more serotonin and other neurotransmitters to circulate in the brain. According to Dr. Gabriel Cousens, MAO inhibitors facilitate youthening and rejuvenation.

Phenylethylamine (PEA)

Phenylethylamine (PEA) is found in chocolate. PEA is an adrenal-related chemical that is also created within the brain and released when we are in love. This is one of the reasons why love and chocolate have a deep correlation. PEA also plays a role in increasing focus and alertness.

Anandamide (The Bliss Chemical)

A neurotransmitter called anandamide, has been isolated in cacao. Anandamide is also produced naturally in the brain. Anandamide is known as "The Bliss Chemical" because it is released while we are feeling great. Cacao contains enzyme inhibitors that decrease our bodies' ability to breakdown anandamide. This means that natural anandamide and/or cacao anandamide may stick around longer, making us feel good longer, when we eat cacao.

Allergies?

A recent study showed that only one out of 500 people who thought they were allergic to chocolate actually tested positive. Allergies to chocolate are quite rare. It is typically the case that the person is in fact allergic to milk and dairy products.

Flavonoids in Chocolate

Of much greater interest in the context of health benefits is the rich flavonoid content of raw cocoa and the relatively rich flavonoid content of some chocolates and cocoas. Flavonoids are part of a large and diverse class of phyto-chemicals called polyphenols. Several thousand flavonoids exist in substantial amounts in common plant-based foods, such as tea, chocolate, cocoa, soybeans and wine. Epidemiological research, which studies the association between diet and health, in the last decade has suggested that some flavonoids might protect against certain chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular disease.

Other Fun Facts!

Chocolate's antioxidant potency roughly matches that of gallic acid, another potent antioxidant, and is even more effective at cutting oxidation of (LDLs) than those in red wine (consumption of which has been found to reduce significantly an individual's risk of heart attack).

Chocolate and Dental Caries

Cocoa and chocolate have been shown to reduce the demineralization process-an activity which directly results in the formation of dental caries. In a study conducted at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York. The researchers reported that: "Chocolate has a high content of protein, calcium, phosphate and other minerals, all of which have exhibited protective effects on tooth enamel.

Chocolate contains copper (.8mg per 100g) which enhances red blood cells' ability to carry oxygen. The average woman is deficient in copper. A good source of copper is liver but wouldn't you rather eat chocolate?

PEA(Phenylethylamine) is followed closely by theobroma as the chocolate chemical most responsible for lifting depressions. It is one of a group of plant-based stimulants called methylxanthines whose best know member is caffeine. Chocolate has straight caffeine , too, but in very small amounts (70mg/100g). The effects of theobroma are similar to, but milder than caffeine's, and include alertness and decreased fatigue.

Serotonin (3mg/100g) and tyramine (2mg/100g) are also present in chocolate and provide a mild calming, balancing effect.

[lydias]

I read that on Alyssa's link and it sounds good.

But there is so much controversy on this. I've read it is addictive and you may crave more and more of it.

And with chocolate and this raw chocolate, apparently they can allow a certain amount of insects in it by law which is kind of gross.

Of course I love chocolate so if this is okay then I'll take it!!

[Veganforlife]

I personally LOVED M&Ms and Cadbury chocolate and hershey kisses, etc. but have not missed them because I am now eating raw cacao. If you look hard enough, there is controversy about everything. I feel now eating raw chocolate, I am eating way better then the abovementioned chocolates, which had who knows what in it. Those chocolate were empty foods.
If you prefer not to eat it, that's fine. Me? I'll keep eating it and know I'm eating healthy.
Bugs? Shoot! I get bugs in my mouth all the time either driving w/my top down or riding my bike?!What's a little more protein? :eek:

[Bechtel]

problem with chocolate products - SUGAR and MILK.
i buy cocoa powder (unsweetened of coarse) and drink as a hot chocolate.

[mattm]

I know it's really boring to say but it depends on your body. Some people may find it addictive whilst others not at all. I had much apprehension about using it, after the controversy about it and thinking it might cause things like skin problems that I'd managed to rid myself of completely. Well I ended up taking the dive and trying some and what happended...nothing. I enjoyed a beautiful chocolate drink, didn't go hyper or get stimulated at all, didn't have any skin problems in the slightest and have any cravings for it again. At the end of the day it's a personal choice, ask yourself if it's something you really care that much about having as there are soooo many other wonderful raw foods and tastes out there to have and just continue to listen to your body.

[Raw Jewelrylady]

I was also a little skeptical of all the claims but started using it it my morning smoothies. I love it. I have to admit I do feel differently when I don't add it- maybe not as *Happy~blissful*.

Could be just a *self-fullfilled prophesy* -but I really don't care. There are too many things in cocao that I think it is great. Now-I don't use it all day-or I would be bouncing off the walls-as I do feel a definite kick. :D

It is nothing like a caffeine from coffee feeling-and the days I do not use it-I have no w/drawl type effects. so...IMHO- I think it is great -tastes great & will keep on using. :) In fact- off to have some right now. :D

Lana

[mbf]

Your best source for information is going to be David Wolfs site www.rawfood.com also very informative is www.naturesfirstlaw.com

I use raw cacao powder and nibs everday. It took me 6 months to get off a 23 year mega coffee addiction so I was very leary about using them and was raw for almost a year before trying them. I use them to make the most amazing chocolate pudding ( raw food real world recipe modified ) and make myself a banana, coconut, pineapple and cacao smoothie with bee pollen every morning!
I travel a lot so and when I do not have them I do NOT feel an withdrawal effects. I do miss the taste and crave my coconuts.

You may be dissapointed if you eat them alone. On the run they are great between a banana sliced in half lengthwise.

Hope this helps.

Mara

[Raw Jewelrylady]

Your best source for information is going to be David Wolfs site www.rawfood.com also very informative is www.naturesfirstlaw.com

I use raw cacao powder and nibs everday. It took me 6 months to get off a 23 year mega coffee addiction so I was very leary about using them and was raw for almost a year before trying them. I use them to make the most amazing chocolate pudding ( raw food real world recipe modified ) and make myself a banana, coconut, pineapple and cacao smoothie with bee pollen every morning!
I travel a lot so and when I do not have them I do NOT feel an withdrawal effects. I do miss the taste and crave my coconuts.

You may be dissapointed if you eat them alone. On the run they are great between a banana sliced in half lengthwise.

Hope this helps.

Mara

Mara- I read Naked Chocolate- David & Shazzies book. I was like you-very leary at first-but have found it to be a great addition to my raw journey-besides it tastes fantastic. :D

For anyone who doesn't know, you can buy Raw Cocao powder from Alissa :

http://www.alissacohen.com/shop/product.php?productid=47&cat=5&page=1

I'm off to make a smoothie with some cocao! :D

Have a *Chocolately* GREAT day! ;)

Lana

[Nutz Over RAW]

And with chocolate and this raw chocolate, apparently they can allow a certain amount of insects in it by law which is kind of gross.


I've heard that there is a tolerance/specification on how many (bugs) are allowed in the food industry. I try now to think about it, but now there is talk about irridation (radiating) our fruit and vegetables. They already do this to meat (I've never liked meat). This is even scarier to me about the fruits and veggies. There's a study going on about how much radiation we can tolerate. I haven't owned a microwave in years because it never made sense to me to heat up my food with radiation. Another reason the buy local organic produce, or grow your own.

[shine72]

lydias - all I can say is, if loving raw cacao is wrong, then I don't wanna be right! It has helped me tremendously with my PMS to still be able to have some and there are so many beneficial properties to it! I don't have it every day, or all that often, but it is a nice treat. And I don't like the taste of raw carob, so I mix 1/2 raw carob and 1/2 raw cacao powders in a recipe that calls for carob.

Sunshine :D

[aenea]

I can't wait to make things with the raw chocolate

[Petals]

Raw cacao has helped me alot with stopping the unhealthful sad candy habit I had even when I was a regular vegan. It seems to affect people differently depending on ones brain chemistry. It seems to have helped me with depression and nerves....along with essential fatty acids like flax and hemp oils.

[Linda1970]

I've been eating a lot of raw cacao and this is what I found after testing it about 5-10 times in the last one year:

raw whole, cacao beans with skins have no effects on me no matter how much I consume.

raw chocolate powder(processed raw cacao beans) gives me insomnia if I consume it after 3pm.