Eye Of Raw

Let me just say that if my first two days of Christmas consisted of 2 cacao trees and a bag of Goji Berries I would not need to go any further.

We all LOVE Chocolate, but do most of us know anything about it other than it tastes good? Probably not. I’m sure we have all heard about its super antioxidants, but most of us dont know that the majority of us arent even getting those antioxidants because our chocolate has been cooked!

On the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) Raw Cacao Powder tips the charts at 955. To put this in perspective, blueberries come in at 32!

Besides its ridiculously high antioxidant level, Cacao Also Contains:

• Magnesium (The highest source!)

Magnesium is a mineral that promotes alkalinity in the body. This mineral is a necessity that most people in the US on the Standard American Diet (SAD) are lacking– over 80%!. Magnesium is vital to the brain. (“ADD” symptoms are the same ones as those found in a person with magnesium deficiency!) Magnesium also helps build strong bones. Imagine if instead of being brought up with the “milk mustache” we were brought up on raw chocolate! We would all be such happier campers! This amazing mineral also supports the heart. When the body has enough magnesium, your body tells its veins and arteries to take a breather. This allows more blood and oxygen to flow through the body.

• Iron (1 oz contains 314% your RDA!)

Iron is one of those mineral we are constantly hearing about its importance– and it is. I cant tell you how many times i have received the “look of shock” when  people ask me “Well if you dont eat meat where do you get your iron?” and i respond “From Chocolate–Duh!!” Try it some time. The look is great!

Iron is part of hemoglobin, which keeps our blood healthy so we do not become stricken with anemia.

• Manganese

Manganese is another trace mineral that is essential to the human body. Manganese helps to assist iron in the oxygenation of your blood and helps hemoglobin to form.

• Chromium

Like Iron, the majority of Americans– around 80%– are deficient in this essential trace mineral. This mineral is major in keeping balanced blood sugar levels. It is also used by the body with fat, protein, and carbohydrate storage in the body. Chromium regulates hunger, reduces cravings, protects RNA and DNA, is important to heart function, and helps control fat and cholesterol levels in the blood.

• Zinc

Yet again, another trace mineral! No wonder Cacao is a Superfood! It definitely deserves its title! Zinc plays a vital role in our immune system, (great when you have a cold!) liver, pancreas, and skin. It is also responsible for thousands of enzymatic reactions in our body.

Zinc is also known to improve vision, aid in getting rid of Acne and Eczema, heals wounds, helps men with prostate function, controls appetite, helps control diabetes, helps protect against infection, and helps those with chronic fatigue.

• Copper

Yes, another essential trace mineral. Copper is key in building healthy blood and a strong, powerful immune system. Copper is known as a “brain food” as it helps stimulate its activity. Recent research has also shown that copper can help lower your bad cholesterol and increase your beneficial cholesterol! Copper is also closely related with proper thyroid function.

• Vitamin C

Ascorbic Acid can not withstand heat, therefore all cooked chocolate has NO vitamin C present! Vitamin C is a super vitamin, and many studies have been done showing miraculous results on the body’s ability to fight cancer and disease with ridiculously high doses of Vitamin C! Study this one out, it will definitely be worth your time@

• Omega 6

When heat is added to this fatty acid, it turns into a rancid fatty acid, making it a saturated fat. This alone should make you want to stay away from cooked chocolate! Who wants rancid trans fats in their body??!!

We all know we need these essential fatty acids. Omega 6′s do a lot for the body, including building strong bones,  helping the body fight against osteoporosis, and  lowering blood pressure. Studies have also shown that children diagnosed with “ADHD” have every low Omega 3 & 6 levels.

• Phenylethylamine

Yet another substance that can not with stand heat! Although in raw chocolate levels of phenylethylamine (or PEA) are fairly high, cooked chocolate does not have any!

PEA’s are produced in our body when we fall in love. This might be why so many of us love chocolate so much!  PEA’s are also known to control appetite and increase focus and alertness. With the PEA’s, the magnesium, mineral, fat, and no sugar content, raw Cacao is one of the best weight control “supplements”!

• Phosphorus

Phosphorus is needed by the body to build strong bones and teeth. Phosphorus aids in proper digestion of riboflavin and niacin,and helps your kidneys effectively excreting wastes.

• Anandamide

This is an endorphin that the body creates after exercise. If your anything like me it makes you feel happy and high!  Cacao is the only plant that contains Anandamide!

• Serotonin

Cacao is very rich in Serotonin! Serotonin is our feel good neurotransmitter that builds up our stress defense shield! It keeps us calm under stress. When we feel paranoid or withdrawn, it is due to the depletion of our serotonin levels.

• Tryptophan

Another mood enhancer! Cacao seems to be just packed with these! Tryptophan is necessary in the production of serotonin, our primary neurotransmitter. Tryptophan is also very heat sensitive, so cooking chocolate destroys this beautiful essential amino acid!

• Soluble Fiber

Thats right! Cacao is packed with a soluble fiber that is perfect for the human body!

• Caffeine?

NOPE! Despite what most people think, Cacao is not high in caffeine! Actually it is quite low..  The amount of caffeine in cacao is equivalent to less than 1/20 a cup of coffee! What cacao actually contains is Theobromine. Theobromine is a relative to caffeine but does not stimulate the nervous system. It is a great antibacterial substance that actually kills the bacteria that causes cavities. Yup, chocolate can help prevent cavities!

Im sure if I sat in front of the computer a little longer i could come up with a few more a

mazing things about this love fruit, but i guess I’ll stop there! I LOVE CACAO and now you can see why! My day just wouldnt be complete without it! Today i actually dropped some in my water instead of my usual Goji.. talk about an energy rush! I felt great!!