Raw Chocolate is the latest superfood to come under the spotlight for its vast health benefits. When we think of chocolate we usually think of the overly processed milk chocolate bars such as mars bars, snickers and so on. Not a food we'd commonly associate with improving health anyway. But chocolate in its raw state is actually one of the healthiest foods you can consume and is fast living up to its name as one of the best superfoods available.
It is important to get the full benefits of dark chocolate that it must be in its raw state and from what most of the studies so far have suggested the cacao percentage must be at least 70% to get most of the health benefits associated with raw dark chocolate.
Raw Chocolate Benefits
* Cacao is a very good source of the mineral Magnesium. Magnesium is one of the most important nutrients in heart function and has been shown to be needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
* Raw chocolate is an outstanding source of antioxidants. Minus two spices cinnamon and cloves, raw chocolate was shown to have the highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) of any of the foods tested. Antioxidants contained in raw chocolate are beneficial to many areas of health such as lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol and in turn reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. The high concentration of antioxidants will also lower the risk of cancer.
* Raw chocolate is also a good source of the mineral sulfur. Sulfur has many functions such as building strong hair and nails, is a good mineral for healthy skin, promoting detoxification of the liver and much more.
* Cacao is a great brain and mood food due to many of the chemicals and compounds it contains naturally such as dopamine, tryptophan, anandamine, phenylethylamine(PEA) and MAO inhibitors.
* Phenylethylamine(PEA) also known as the "love chemical" has many known functions such as helping increase mental focus/alertness and helps us feel connected to others. PEA is released in great amounts when we are in love.
* Raw chocolate contains small amounts of anandamine which is an endogenous cannabinoid found naturally in the brain. Anandamine is also known as the "bliss chemical" as we produce it naturally when were feeling bliss. Two chemicals similar to anandamine in cacao, inhibit the metabolism of anandamine allowing it to stay available to the brain longer.
To purchase raw chocolate bars, superfoods, herbal products and more please visit our site Amla Berry UK
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Sharkey
It is important to get the full benefits of dark chocolate that it must be in its raw state and from what most of the studies so far have suggested the cacao percentage must be at least 70% to get most of the health benefits associated with raw dark chocolate.
Raw Chocolate Benefits
* Cacao is a very good source of the mineral Magnesium. Magnesium is one of the most important nutrients in heart function and has been shown to be needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
* Raw chocolate is an outstanding source of antioxidants. Minus two spices cinnamon and cloves, raw chocolate was shown to have the highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) of any of the foods tested. Antioxidants contained in raw chocolate are beneficial to many areas of health such as lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol and in turn reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. The high concentration of antioxidants will also lower the risk of cancer.
* Raw chocolate is also a good source of the mineral sulfur. Sulfur has many functions such as building strong hair and nails, is a good mineral for healthy skin, promoting detoxification of the liver and much more.
* Cacao is a great brain and mood food due to many of the chemicals and compounds it contains naturally such as dopamine, tryptophan, anandamine, phenylethylamine(PEA) and MAO inhibitors.
* Phenylethylamine(PEA) also known as the "love chemical" has many known functions such as helping increase mental focus/alertness and helps us feel connected to others. PEA is released in great amounts when we are in love.
* Raw chocolate contains small amounts of anandamine which is an endogenous cannabinoid found naturally in the brain. Anandamine is also known as the "bliss chemical" as we produce it naturally when were feeling bliss. Two chemicals similar to anandamine in cacao, inhibit the metabolism of anandamine allowing it to stay available to the brain longer.
To purchase raw chocolate bars, superfoods, herbal products and more please visit our site Amla Berry UK
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Sharkey