Is Chocolate A Health Food?

In addition to being a powerhouse of antioxidants, cacao is also rich in certain minerals such as magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, phosphorus, and zinc. An interesting study was conducted at Northwestern University which observed the effects of drinking a cocoa beverage on people with peripheral artery disease, a condition in which the blood vessels of the legs have insufficient circulation.

Unfortunately, many people think that eating healthy equates having to eat foods that are bland and boring. Many years ago, I recall a patient of mine telling me that his doctor had told him, “If it tastes good, spit it out.” Nothing could be further from the truth! There is one food that almost everyone agrees is something that they relish as it melts in their mouth. It’s chocolate! To be honest, there are many forms of chocolate that exist, some healthy, others not so much. Let’s have a look and explore this potential superfood and gift from our Creator.

According to historians, cacao was first cultivated in South America by the native Mayans and Aztecs. These cultures viewed it as a gift from the gods and its consumption tied into their folklore creation stories. Cacao beans were even given as a reward for victorious warriors and used as currency in Mesoamerican societies. In these traditions, it was also used in medical practices for increasing strength and libido.

What has modern science discovered about cacao? Quite a lot, in fact. The first thing is that raw cacao is an incredible source of antioxidants. The ORAC scale is a tool (more on ORAC foods here) which measures the antioxidant properties of different foods and spices. To provide some perspective, store-bought blueberries have an ORAC value of 4,669. Wild blueberries, on the other hand, have a rating of 9,621. How about unsweetened cocoa powder? 55,653! The estimate value for raw cacao is as much as 95,950. In addition to being a powerhouse of antioxidants, cacao is also rich in certain minerals such as magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, phosphorus, and zinc. An interesting study was conducted at Northwestern University which observed the effects of drinking a cocoa beverage on people with peripheral artery disease, a condition in which the blood vessels of the legs have insufficient circulation. After six months of drinking the cocoa three times a day, study participants were found to have improved walking capacity, improved mitochondrial activity, improved capillary (miniature blood vessels) density, and improved calf muscle circulation in comparison to placebo controls.

The experimental group drank a hot cocoa beverage made by Hershey’s. The results would have probably been even more marked if higher quality cacao powder had been used. As mentioned earlier, there are different forms of chocolate and some are better than others. Chocolate is the final product of a manufacturing process that begins with the cacao bean.

To begin with, the fat of the bean, the source of cocoa butter, is separated from the solid portion which is then grinded into smaller pieces called nibs or made into cacao powder. Either of these are the most unprocessed forms and contain the most nutrients. Cocoa powder is one step down from cacao as it undergoes a roasting process which results in the loss of some nutrients and antioxidants. Chocolate can be made from either cacao or cocoa powder along with other added ingredients such as sugar, cocoa butter, and milk. It is the high amount of sugar added to chocolate that is the harmful component. A 100g bar of milk chocolate typically has 52 grams of sugar, which is about 13 teaspoons. A 78% dark chocolate bar has 18 grams of sugar or about 4.5 teaspoons. Even better, if you are looking for a healthy way to start your morning, a mug of lightly warmed raw milk, a heaping teaspoon of cacao powder, and a squeeze of raw honey will supply a good serving of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and life-giving enzymes. A delicious taste combined with deep nourishment is truly a gift from God.

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Zain Yamani

Zain Yamani is a classic homeopath and holistic physical therapist based out of California. To learn more about him and his services visit: www.forwardtohealth.com/zain