is cocao bad for you?

[Anndiamond]

I just saw on someones blog that cocao (not sure if i have spelling right!) is quite bad for people - is that right?? I get so frustrated hearing this when the media says that certain types of food is good for you then somewhere else is written its not, ie soy milk too, is that bad???

I like to use carob powder anyway but still i want to hear the truth! does anyone know???

[blaqberry]

Conflicting info can be rather frustrating... I go with how my body feels/reacts (within reason). That goes for everything, not just raw choco - which I do enjoy, btw. :)

[dread head vegan]

i don't really know i've have herd both from raw foodies.. but i still eat it:D

[Lady Green Jeans]

Seems to be mixed feelings on the cocao nibs or raw cocoa. Some individuals have noted affects like caffiene gave them; others just a boost of energy. I use occasionally in a chocolate malt type drink in my vitamix with maca, banana, agave, dash of cinnamon and some brazil nuts.

Soy milk is not a raw product.

You may want to do your own research here and make an informed decision for your diet/lifestyle.

[carolg]

Listen to the rawathon tonight. Dr. Jameth Sheridan says NO to eating cacao powder or products....stimulant like coffee is one fact. Don't take before going to sleep you will stay up.

Gotta listen within 24 hours freely or lose that unless buying interview.

Now I have lots to sell unused too. I think I will skip it but others may not be ready. So, I got some to part with for what I paid too plus ship usa.

carolg

[sport]

It is not good for you but sometimes "a little of what you fancy does you good".
It should never be more than a little and you are better off without.

[earth_sista]

i agree with blaqberry-just listen to your body.

personally, i LOVE chocolate, and i've experienced both the positive and the negative affects of it (positive being feeling very blissed out and negative being an increased heart rate-a scary increase, actually). i recently stopped eating chocolate and actually had a bit of withdrawal-cravings and a headache for a few days. carob is a great supplement to have in place of cacao.

[Raene]

Yes, it is bad for me. But is it bad for YOU? Like others say, listen to your body. It feels awful for me, gives me heart palpitations, racing heartbeat, panic attacks, etc...and I can't eat it. Carob is a lifesaver.
I heard a raw foodist who isn't out to make money like many others who promote all of the "superfoods" and he said that cacao would never be eaten in it's natural form. I think that's something for all of us who are raw to think about. If it wouldn't taste good eaten right off of the tree, bush, etc, are we really meant to eat it? I doubt it.

[MOTH]

It's not good for me...I know this...my body reacts to it like a nervous invader.

I also get panicky/grouchy on it

[rawstrength]

It makes me feel great, but it truly is a medicine, not a food. I've suffered from anxiety and depression for most of my life. Cacao helps me tremendously. Cacao alters brain chemistry, this has been my experience. Cacao may not be good for everyone. As I've progressed on my raw journey, I've wanted/needed cacao less and less. Sometimes I've gone through periods where I crave it and want to eat it everyday. Other times I simply don't want it, and avoid it like the plague.

All in all, I've learned a lot from eating cacao! Cacao tastes rich in minerals, and I can now identify the difference between fully mineralized foods (these tend to be wild foods) and demineralized foods, due to eatin cacao. Also, I've learned about my body, mind, even my spirit (cacao is a great creativity food).

Some people react very badly to cacao. Trust how you feel on it. Also, recognize that the way cacao makes you feel may change over time.

[Eva]

I've had bad reactions to it numerous times, yet I've come back to it. It just tastes so friggin good with the recipes I've made.

I've figured out that, as long as I have just a bit, don't have it too regularly, and pair it with seeds to soften the blow, I'm good.

[rawstrength]

Eva brings up a good point. Cacao is delicious.
Carob tastes pretty good, too, but it can't compare to cacao.

[RawKnitster]

I have to agree with Eva and rawstrength. Cacao is a truly wonderful, enlightening experience and should not be denied. If it doesn't work for you, don't use it. I personally need it.

You can find many diverse opinions on cacao. Some say it's bad, more say it's good. You'll have to try it and use your own judgement.

For me, it's definitely a mood enhancer. I enjoy it a couple times a week. Since this week is Halloween I will be using a lot of it. I'm also planning on having it more often over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. It's impossible to feel deprived when your eating the best food on the planet.

[RawHeaven]

I wouldn't call cacao bad, I would just say people react differently to it because it is a stimulant. Because it's a stimulant, you may experience detoxification symptoms. There are so many conflicting opinions about this food. Some say only use it medicinally and that it's very toxic for your system. Others rave about it's antioxidant properties and that it's a superfood. If you choose to use it depends on where you are on your raw path and what you choose to consume and how your body reacts to it I think. I used to make a lot of desserts with cacao and now I have it maybe once or twice a month in a smoothie or I mix it with my hempseed milk (yum). I do love how it tastes blended with spirulina in smoothies. I don't experience any adverse reactions if I only consume a little bit. If it's more, than yes I do get headaches and become jittery a few hours later.

[sport]

I personally need it.

For me, it's definitely a mood enhancer. .

But can you not see that you have answered the question here. You should not NEED anything specific and you should not need a mood enhancer.
This makes it sound like a drug and that is probably what it is.

I do use it but I do not intend to purchase it again once my current supply is used up. I am a non addictive type and never got hooked on anything so it has not presented me with a problem but because of how it seems to effect some people I realise that it is not the best thing to be taking. It is more of a drug than a food.

[RawKnitster]

I didn't mean I need it as in addicted to it. I've gone for weeks without it and have not cared about it. But, when I'm having strong cooked food cravings a little cacao is the blessing that keeps me raw.

About it being a mood enhancer...it has the power to make me smile. Nothing is a better mood enhancer than smiling. :)

[Asian Pear]

I'd say it's definitely not a health promoting or health giving food. A lot inedible food has antioxidants and substances that are touted as healthy. Poison ivy has tons of antioxidants and nutrients for example. Fresh food does contain ample antioxidants and nutrients, so it isn't necessary to eat cacao for nutrient purposes.

People who are trying to get off chocolate shouldn't use it for sure. If you are dying for a substitute, try carob.

Unfortunately I do like cacao because I've always liked chocolate and find it addicting. But I know it isn't healthy for me. It is always better for me not to eat it at all because a little bit leads to more for me. If I have it after a while of abstaining, I get the shakes.

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/toxiccacao.html

[Inca_faerie]

I love it and it loves me. RAW cacao that is. I think a lot of people writing about their negative experiences are useing roasted cacao. I'm also starting to think that a lot of people THINK and BELIEVE cacao will be bad for them before they even try it and therefore have a negative reaction (placebo effect) just a thought. Of course there are people who truley cannot tolerate it raw or roasted and I'm not trying to discount their experiences but I'm tired of hearing it's "bad" it or unhealthy in fact it's the complete opposite of those 2 labels for those who have no problem with it.

[ArcturusXIV]

David Wolfe says cocao is a superfood. I would believe him over almost anyone else on this forum. He's been 15 years raw, and has the health to prove it. I would grind my own cocao beans, though, not buy the powder.

[rawstrength]

To say that anything that enhances your mood is an addictive, unhealthy drug is foolish.
Is excersize an addictive, unhealthy drug?
Is the raw food diet an addictive, unhealthy drug?
Both enhance my mood.
Cacao also enhances my mood :) .
I'd rather be on cacao than anti-depressants (been there, done that, never again!)

[ArcturusXIV]

To say that anything that enhances your mood is an addictive, unhealthy drug is foolish.
Is excersize an addictive, unhealthy drug?
Is the raw food diet an addictive, unhealthy drug?
Both enhance my mood.
Cacao also enhances my mood :) .
I'd rather be on cacao than anti-depressants (been there, done that, never again!)

Not to mention, wheat grass gives me a buzz! I literally had a straight-edge friend tell me he wouldn't take it because of that reason...

[Eva]

David Wolfe says cocao is a superfood. I would believe him over almost anyone else on this forum. He's been 15 years raw, and has the health to prove it. I would grind my own cocao beans, though, not buy the powder.
Don't forget a big part of his living is dependent upon people purchasing the "superfoods" he sells! I'm not calling him a liar, just pointing that out. People here, however, are sharing real experiences with nothing to lose or gain.

[MarinaNieta]

what exactly is the difference between Cacao and Carob?
and where do I go about finding/purchasing these things? are they typical supermarket products?

[SheLovesToEat]

Yes, it is bad for me. But is it bad for YOU? Like others say, listen to your body. It feels awful for me, gives me heart palpitations, racing heartbeat, panic attacks, etc...and I can't eat it. Carob is a lifesaver.
I heard a raw foodist who isn't out to make money like many others who promote all of the "superfoods" and he said that cacao would never be eaten in it's natural form. I think that's something for all of us who are raw to think about. If it wouldn't taste good eaten right off of the tree, bush, etc, are we really meant to eat it? I doubt it.


WELL.....
when i lived in the tropics i ate cacao off the trees all the time.
i always had loads of pods i cracked open and ate. the flesh has a citrusy flavour and i kept the beans and put them in the sun. when they dried they tasted of chocolate and citrus because the of some of the dried flesh that still clung to the beans. TOTALLY natural and DELISH!

i had a good laugh the other day when i was in whole foods. they were actually selling packaged dried cacao beans that had some of the dried citrus flesh still on them. just the way i use to make them.

so is cacao bad for you? NOPE! not for me! i certainly enjoyed it fresh off the tree and then dried in the sun.
it depends on the individual....and the advice of listen to your body is the best thing you can do.
if it doesnt agree with you.... as with anything else... dont eat it.

[blaqberry]

wow!! cacao right off the tree?! ...*jeelous*



WELL.....
when i lived in the tropics i ate cacao off the trees all the time.
i always had loads of pods i cracked open and ate. the flesh has a citrusy flavour and i kept the beans and put them in the sun. when they dried they tasted of chocolate and citrus because the of some of the dried flesh that still clung to the beans. TOTALLY natural and DELISH!

i had a good laugh the other day when i was in whole foods. they were actually selling packaged dried cacao beans that had some of the dried citrus flesh still on them. just the way i use to make them.

so is cacao bad for you? NOPE! not for me! i certainly enjoyed it fresh off the tree and then dried in the sun.
it depends on the individual....and the advice of listen to your body is the best thing you can do.
if it doesnt agree with you.... as with anything else... dont eat it.

[SheLovesToEat]

wow!! cacao right off the tree?! ...*jeelous*

OHHH YEAH! and it was sooo good ! i knew where to find cacao trees and the different varieties come round several times a year to produce pods.
so there is always some to be had.

there is even this REALLY COOL variety of cacao pod thats shaped like a big brown football but not quite as pointy at the ends. its actually a cousin of cacao. it doesnt produce too many pods because and they take a long time to ripen when they do arrive.

anyway..... the seeds from THAT realitive taste different from the normal cacao. they actually taste like a cup of warm cocoa instead of the deeply bitter raw chocolate ( which i happen to like anyway).
but wow was it different.
someone i know showed me where to find the trees.

there are so many VERY cool tropical goodies to be found on trees .....you really do eat like a king when you live in that climate.
just fond memories now that i live in the desert LOL.

[blaqberry]

Ah, all of that sounds soo cool... I feel like I read something somewhere about a cacao cousin "??" In Naked Chocolate, maybe. I can't remember. The most "tropical" environment I've lived in is Florida, with childhood memories of my grandmother's yard riddled with mangoes that had fallen from a neighbor's tree. I believe there was also a lime tree nearby. And you could always find coconuts on the beach... Now, if there had only been cacao trees! :p :)

Very neat you got to experience all of that!


OHHH YEAH! and it was sooo good ! i knew where to find cacao trees and the different varieties come round several times a year to produce pods.
so there is always some to be had.

there is even this REALLY COOL variety of cacao pod thats shaped like a big brown football but not quite as pointy at the ends. its actually a cousin of cacao. it doesnt produce too many pods because and they take a long time to ripen when they do arrive.

anyway..... the seeds from THAT realitive taste different from the normal cacao. they actually taste like a cup of warm cocoa instead of the deeply bitter raw chocolate ( which i happen to like anyway).
but wow was it different.
someone i know showed me where to find the trees.

there are so many VERY cool tropical goodies to be found on trees .....you really do eat like a king when you live in that climate.
just fond memories now that i live in the desert LOL.

[SuriPatty]

I just saw on someones blog that cocao (not sure if i have spelling right!) is quite bad for people - is that right?? I get so frustrated hearing this when the media says that certain types of food is good for you then somewhere else is written its not, ie soy milk too, is that bad???

I like to use carob powder anyway but still i want to hear the truth! does anyone know???

I am sure its a lot better than a snickers bar ;)

[SheLovesToEat]

Ah, all of that sounds soo cool... I feel like I read something somewhere about a cacao cousin "??" In Naked Chocolate, maybe. I can't remember. The most "tropical" environment I've lived in is Florida, with childhood memories of my grandmother's yard riddled with mangoes that had fallen from a neighbor's tree. I believe there was also a lime tree nearby. And you could always find coconuts on the beach... Now, if there had only been cacao trees! :p :)

Very neat you got to experience all of that!


i have not read naked chocolate or any other raw books on the subject of raw chocolate... so there may be something in there about it. the only way i know about most things is because i have had some experience with them. I have always had a passion for going places and most of the time i am lead there by the promise of something interesting to eat.

tropical fruits in far away places have long been a BIG interest for me. slowly over the years...thru travel and curiosity i have had the opportunity to sample things i never dreamed i would find.

there is still alot i have not had ..... such as ice cream bean. but someday i will get to it. LOL..... and yet have something else to remember fondly.

your experience in florida is just what one hopes to find. coconuts on the beaches and mangos in your yard. GREAT! glad you had that.

next time you want to take a trip... a vacation... ask yourself... what would you like to eat?
then go get a place to stay where it grows in season so you can have it everyday if you desire.

thats the way i operate. LOL. its never let me down yet.
i remember one trip to St. Lucia when i discovered soursop. a kind of custardy fruit. for a week i had it everyday for breakfast, dinner and late night snack.
that was SOOO GOOD ! i remember it now and i can still taste it.

[Revvell]

One person's experience w/ cacao: http://renegadehealth.com/blog/.

[freshlight]

WELL.....
when i lived in the tropics i ate cacao off the trees all the time.
i always had loads of pods i cracked open and ate. the flesh has a citrusy flavour and i kept the beans and put them in the sun. when they dried they tasted of chocolate and citrus because the of some of the dried flesh that still clung to the beans. TOTALLY natural and DELISH

What an amazing story, I loved it! Where exactly did it happen? I'm planning to move there asap :)

[freshlight]

i remember one trip to St. Lucia when i discovered soursop. a kind of custardy fruit. for a week i had it everyday for breakfast, dinner and late night snack.
that was SOOO GOOD ! i remember it now and i can still taste it.

is it this one


http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/cynthiaanelson/Soursop2.jpg

??
what does it taste like?

[Bela]

I love cacao. I have it once every week or two and it makes me feel great but maybe the reason there are so many conflicting views is because everyone reacts to it differently. When in doubt, follow your body. Does it male you feel like this :D or like this :(?

[ShantiLove]

Here is a really interesting video of Kevins experience with raw cacao.

http://renegadehealth.com/blog/

It gives you somting to think about ;)

[Raene]

Yeah, I saw that video yesterday and I could totally relate!

[Inca_faerie]

I guess this guy must have an extremely sensitive system or something. I get kinda ticked off when people say "ooo stay away from cacao, it's bad for you" that's crap. It's bad for SOME PEOPLE. Maybe some people are allergic to it? I have at least 20 gm raw cacao per day. I feel great and sleep great with no problems whatsoever!!. PLEASE stop labeling it!!

[annavon]

Ah, yes, the great cacao controversy...

In one corner we have the champion of the raw cacao Mr. David "avocado Wolfe. In the other corner we have the challenger Mr. Paul Nison who says no to cacao.

David says it is the greatest health food ever and full of anit oxidents. Paul says cacao is an addictive poison.

For me, I have met Paul and I really like and respect him... but I have cacao in my pantry at home;). I find that if I have just a little bit I am OK. Too much and I get a migrane the next day. It just tastes soooo good!:D

[Dimond]

I never have any negative affects from cacao, regardless of how much I consume or if I haven't eaten it in awhile. It's possible I've had positive affects from it when combined with high doses of magnesium, but it was only a day or two and didn't continue. I think as with everything it all depends on the person. I'm extremely sensitive and yet it doesn't effect me. But then I never had obvious reactions to caffeine or sugar like energy surges. If I eat something not raw vegan, without taking enzymes, I usually will have a reaction.

I think both David and Paul are great for the most part. I just don't believe there is one answer for every person, other than raw, vegan and organic, of course. :p

[sport]

I was in Hippocretes a few days ago and picked up some of their magazines. There is an article about the foreign bodies that are allowed in the chocolate powder (including raw).
Because vermin are attracted to it there is far more dirt in it that most other products and this is allowed. It would cost too much to remove it.

[ArcturusXIV]

Hrm, I'm borderline neutral on cacao. I've got a package of cacao/maca from David Wolfe's website, and I drink it about once every two days. It really helped with getting off coffee, and also is very filling in a smoothie with walnuts when I need a quick meal. I've not noticed any negative effects from it, nor any positive. It is possible my system is not yet sensitive enough to tell the difference, but generally speaking, I feel fine.

[rawviveyourself]

is cacao bad for me personally? nope.

is it bad for you or anyone else? perhaps.

obviously the level of discussion this topic breeds means cacao evokes strong feelings, but ultimately, everyone is different and has different nutritional needs.