Our love affair with chocolate began with the Aztecs and has continued ever since, becoming an irresistible mainstay in our lives. The great news is that when the craving hits you, you don’t need to deprive yourself! Raw chocolate, also known as cacao, is incredibly nutritious. Processed chocolate may taste good, but the processing destroys much of the vital benefits and nutrients. Cacao means “food of the gods,” and with its wealth of health-promoting compounds, it is clear to see why. Raw cacao packs a nutrient boost of iron, magnesium and potassium. These superstar minerals support healthy bodily functions, help regulate blood sugar and encourage muscle growth. Cacao is also a goldmine of antioxidants, specifically flavanols, which help to lower blood pressure, and maintain healthy blood vessels and balanced cholesterol levels.
Has the winter got you sick or just feeling blah? The perfect antidote to the winter blues is raw cacao. The flavanols in cacao help keep your immune cells healthy so they can fight infections and viruses. It also contains an abundance of amino acids that are precursors to the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is the hormone that is responsible for feelings of well-being.
Instead of reaching for that sugar-laden candy bar, try having a Rockin’ Wellness superfoods shake instead! Just one scoop is packed with raw cacao, protein, essential fatty acids and energizing superfoods. A Rockin’ Wellness shake will leave you feeling satisfied and incredibly energized.
References:
1. Cacao and Exercise onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/jphysiol.2011.209924/ abstract
2. Health Benefits of Cacao ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820066
For more information and recipes, visit RockinWellness.com.
