Raw cacao powder...

[LauraPaulsen]

Does it have caffeine?

I made a smoothie with it this morning and now i'm not feeling too good. I feel jittery and shaky. Could it be the caffeine? Could this be detox? I usually don't have any caffeine and I haven't really experienced any detox.

I'm actually getting heartburn....I haven't had that since going raw. I'm on day 5 of 100% raw.

[Veganforlife]

Yes, it does contain caffeine, but how much did you use? If you are only on day 5 of 100% raw, it could any combo of things. Drink some water.

Hope you feel better.

Congrads on day 5!!!!!!!! You go!!!!!!!!!!:D

[LauraPaulsen]

Thank you Vegan for the encouragment..but I just remembered...it might be regular cocoa powder..uuughhh!! I'm not sure , I haven't used it in about 7 months..I'm going to throw it out and purchase new to be sure it's raw.

I'm drinking tons of water, but i'm also EBF my baby...she is also not feeling too well. :rolleyes:

[Inca_faerie]

Yes but the caffeine in raw cacao is not the same as the caffeine in roasted cacao.

"Studies have shown that raw cacao beans are much more beneficial than their roasted counterparts. The process of roasting tends to alter the chemical composition of coca beans. Experiments conducted with decoction of roasted ground cacao beans prepared in boiling hot water concluded and proved that roasted ground cacao beans produced an excitement of the nervous system, which is similar to the effect that black coffee has on the nervous system. On the other hand when the same decoction was prepared with raw cacao beans and there was no visible effect. These experiments concluded that the changes occurred because of the aromatic substances that were released during the roasting process."

[LauraPaulsen]

Yes but the caffeine in raw cacao is not the same as the caffeine in roasted cacao.

"Studies have shown that raw cacao beans are much more beneficial than their roasted counterparts. The process of roasting tends to alter the chemical composition of coca beans. Experiments conducted with decoction of roasted ground cacao beans prepared in boiling hot water concluded and proved that roasted ground cacao beans produced an excitement of the nervous system, which is similar to the effect that black coffee has on the nervous system. On the other hand when the same decoction was prepared with raw cacao beans and there was no visible effect. These experiments concluded that the changes occurred because of the aromatic substances that were released during the roasting process."


Ok, the cacao that I have must not be raw...thanks for this info. I think I bought regular when I wasn't eating raw.

I'm going to throw it out and replace it.

[Eva]

Laura -- I have a strong reaction to RAW cacao and do NOT have a strong reaction to cooked. The caffeine hits me hard, and I pay for it later or the next day if I have more than just a little bit. If that is something that affects you, carob might be a good alternative... Just putting that out there. :)

[freshlight]

Yes but the caffeine in raw cacao is not the same as the caffeine in roasted cacao.

"Studies have shown that raw cacao beans are much more beneficial than their roasted counterparts. The process of roasting tends to alter the chemical composition of coca beans. Experiments conducted with decoction of roasted ground cacao beans prepared in boiling hot water concluded and proved that roasted ground cacao beans produced an excitement of the nervous system, which is similar to the effect that black coffee has on the nervous system. On the other hand when the same decoction was prepared with raw cacao beans and there was no visible effect. These experiments concluded that the changes occurred because of the aromatic substances that were released during the roasting process."
this sounds so interesting! where have you got your information from?

[Inca_faerie]

this sounds so interesting! where have you got your information from?

Let's see...ah here we go

http://ezinearticles.com/?Indulge-Your-Chocolate-Fantasies-With-Raw-Cacao&id=1700615

I'm not sure where the original article is though.

[iamacranberry]

The caffeine is the same caffeine in anything else. However, caffeine is not currently hypothesized to be the main active ingredient in chocolate in regards to the effects that it has on most people. That would be theobromine, which is a biochemical precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter which basically increases pleasure.

[Inca_faerie]

The caffeine is the same caffeine in anything else. However, caffeine is not currently hypothesized to be the main active ingredient in chocolate in regards to the effects that it has on most people. That would be theobromine, which is a biochemical precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter which basically increases pleasure.

I disagree that the caffeine in raw cacao is the same as the caffeine in roasted cacao. Being heated at such high temperatures, theres no way the chemical structure of caffiene stays the same and intact, and has the same characteristics of the unheated product.

[freshlight]

Let's see...ah here we go

http://ezinearticles.com/?Indulge-Your-Chocolate-Fantasies-With-Raw-Cacao&id=1700615

I'm not sure where the original article is though.

thanks a bunch :)