10 Health Benefits of Cacao

There have been a lot of questions that talks about cacao lately. For starters, can this food supercharge your health? The ancient Inca civilization revered this wonderful plant. Not only was it tasty, but they believed it had miraculous benefits. In the foothills of the Andes, cacao has gotten quite a reputation. All around the western world, this valuable piece of food takes high regard. From improving your memory and mood to upping the ante in the bedroom, cacao can do it all. The best part about it is that you don't need that much of it. With just a simple addition to your already balanced diet, you can reap the benefits on a daily basis.  

Improves your mood

Many people suffer from bad moods from time to time. These periods are mainly caused by lack of necessary hormones in your head. When something bad happens, your brain is reluctant to produce them. The majority takes medicines to improve this situation. In most cases this backfires, and it creates more bad than good. Enter cacao, the natural remedy for a bad mood. It contains anandamide, also known as the bliss molecule. This substance single-handedly improves your mood and restores balance in the brain. A natural remedy like this is a must-have in your diet.

It's an aphrodisiac

There is no end to the mood-altering potential of the cacao plant. This Andean jewel has many more secrets in store for us. For starters, it has within itself a miraculous compound called phenethylamine. This incredible chemical triggers the release of endorphins and other hormones. Most of these appear only when we fall in love. Cacao thus improves libido by a large margin. You will feel sexual urges more often and have healthier circulation too. It's a win-win for both you and your partner. Get your hands on some hot cocoa treats and get steamy!

Balances hormonal mood swings

Cacao is crucial for boosting serotonin levels. Serotonin is crucial for mood regulation and boost your motivation. People experience mood swings because serotonin levels drop suddenly. Because of this, the brain has a hard time getting used to the chemical state. Women suffer from this during PMS. Cacao counters this by balancing out hormone levels during these periods. To combat mood swings, you can try out any quantity of cacao. When you see which one suits you the best, continue administering it during that time of the month. The results are unmissable.

Protects your heart

Raw cacao is a gem of the nutritious world. The chief reason for this is because it's filled with flavonols. What are flavonols, you may ask? Well, they are a special kind of antioxidants that protect your cardiovascular system. They do so by improving circulation and strengthening your artery and vein walls. Cacao contains over 700 compounds. Amongst those are some very complex antioxidants. Unlike flavonols, these take on the duty of lowering bad cholesterol levels. Because they do this, your artery walls will stay soft and flexible – a must for good circulation!

Prevents the creation of blood clots

The Department of Nutrition at the University of California came up with a study. They discovered one other magical property of cacao. In this case, it has proven to be an effective blood thinner. No, not in the way that it prevents the creation of scabs. This type of blood thinning prevents the creation of blood clots. Blood clots cause many health problems and are one of the "silent killers" of the organism. Reducing the risk of blood clots helps you stay healthy and fit even at an old age. Eating raw cacao helps the most.

Slows down aging

Cacao can prevent aging at a premature rate. The "culprit" responsible for this benefit is the famed antioxidant – polyphenol. You can find these in green tea and red wine but much smaller quantities. These anthocyanins and catechins protect the cells like no other substances. They pull this off by preventing excessive amounts of cell oxidation. When cells last longer, you last longer. Not only will you look younger, but you might also add a few years to your life. If eating some raw cacao is all it takes to spend more years with your grand-kids, why not?

Helps burn belly fat

Cacao doesn't work like some magical dietary supplement. It doesn't make fat disappear overnight. Cacao has certain substances within itself, called MAO inhibitors. The chief role of these bad boys is shrinking your appetite. You can find these in many weight loss products around the world. Why cacao and not these products? Well, for starters, cacao is a natural MAO inhibitor source. Meaning, you will get more in an even purer form. Not to mention it also injects serotonin to your brain. This allows for better MAO inhibitor absorption.

Creates new energy

Since the old ages, cacao has been an energy booster. There is science behind this. The answer lies in the high amounts of magnesium hidden inside of this beneficial plant. Magnesium is also a good guard against osteoporosis. If you live a high-stress life with lots of things to do, cacao might be a good aid. Adding a few teaspoons or raw beans to your meals may do wonders for your productivity. It's a natural remedy that does wonders and adds quality to your life. Don't hesitate to give it a chance.

Lowers blood pressure

Even small amounts of cacao have shown to decrease blood pressure. Some time ago, when this came into being, people thought it was a bogus study. They suspected it had more to do with the age of people than the actual effects of the plant. Regardless of age, sex, health, and lifestyle, the blood pressure effect is real. To help yourself both now and in the future, add cacao to some snacks you already love. That way, you won't face any particular problems, and your body will have a good defense mechanism.

Sunburn protection

This fact was discovered by accident, but it's true nevertheless. People who have taken up to 20 grams of cocao for three months have shown to be less prone to sunburns. This has a lot to do with the antioxidants and their beneficial properties. This can be a great assistance in getting your summer body. We all enjoy a good tan. So, get on that cocoa if you want that well-toned and well-defined summer body.