All among us there are people who couldn’t imagine a day without chocolate, so called “Chocoholics”. They eat chocolate in all its different forms, like bars, cakes, sweets, biscuits, puddings.
Well, when eating them everyday may not be a good idea, the main ingredient does have some benefits for your health. In fact, adding some time to time to the morning porridge, chia pudding, pancakes or shakes does have a positive effect on our body.
Do you already know which ingredient we are talking about? Yes, it is cacao powder!
When it’s difficult to enumerate all its beneficial effects, below we have presented main four. So let’s talk a little bit about this both simple and mysterious subject and dig into why cacao has been long since valued and treasured.
Firstly, Cacao is a … Minerals’ Mine
Cacao is loaded with the following minerals (health benefits are in parentheses below):
• Manganese (antioxidant support)
• Copper (metabolism, detoxification, skin health)
• Iron (oxygen transportation)
• Magnesium (heart and muscle function)
• Phosphorous (necessary for production of RNA and DNA in cells)
• Zinc (immune- and reproductive systems, hair, eye, and skin health )
• Potassium (heart and nerve function)
Secondly, Cacao is an … Energy/Activity Booster
Cacao is the source of theobromine – the active ingredient that gives chocolate its stimulant quality (like caffeine).
Thirdly, Cacao is a … Happiness Supporter
Cacao contains the essential amino acid tryptophan which our bodies use to make important neurotransmitters like serotonin (the molecule that signals happiness). This may be the reason why people turn to chocolate when they feel depressed!
And finally, Cacao is an … Antioxidants’ Source
Perhaps the most interesting quality about cacao is its powerful antioxidants. It contains more flavanoids than red wine, green tea and blueberries. This is what gives cacao its high ORAC score. (ORAC is the unit with which water-soluble antioxidants are measured; it stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity).
These four and many more reasons to love cacao powder! But remember - choose wisely!
Limit high in fat and sugar choco products with artificial sweeteners, colourants as well as preservatives, and count on high in protein, fibre and taste snacks like our shakes. When hunger pangs, make it convenient to prepare a Natural Balance Shake chocolate flavour, which is a tasty and versatile snack with the right nutrients your body needs to fulfill your chocolate cravings in a healthy way.
Maybe looking for a nutrient-dense, easy-to-make meal in a delicious flavour of chocolate that helps you to achieve and maintain your weight goals? Meal Replacement for Weight Control chocolate flavour is an all-in-one nutritious shake, high in plant-based proteins, dietary fibre, with healthy fats, and 23 essential vitamins and minerals.
When you want to reach your weight goals and feel your best, choose the nutritionally balanced solution — that works!
