Cacao Delight
I don’t know about you, but I do love a bit of raw cacao now and again. First time I drank it, it was infused with chili which to my surprise I really liked. You’ve probably read and heard about cacao’s various health benefits for supporting the mood, energy, heart health and memory but did you know eating raw cacao is wonderful for your skin, hair and nails too?
It contains powerful flavanols and antioxidants that help stimulate out body’s antioxidant defences. Research has found that eating chocolate high in flavanols can help protect your skin from damage from UV rays as well as improving the skins hydration reducing rough, scaly skin that has been exposed to UV light.
Raw Cacao Benefits
All chocolate are not created equal and it’s always better to opt for raw cacao powder or chocolate as the roasting and chemically processing used in making conventional chocolate no matter how dark it is it actually destroys a large amount of the antioxidants and flavonols which is what you need to keep young and healthy.
Cacao is so rich in minerals like magnesium, zinc, selenium and iron all vital for healthy hair, skin and nails. It is also packed with potassium, protein and fibre too.
Getting enough magnesium in your diet can help keep your skin clear and young looking. It also balances estrogen and testosterone which could help prevent hormonal breakouts. It also helps support stress and sleep. Stress or lack of sleep can lead to dull, tired looking skin. Magnesium can help you get a good night’s sleep.
A Good Source of Copper
Always eat/drink raw chocolate during the day as cacao has a mild stimulating effect which could easily effect your sleep when consumed in the evening. Cacao is also a source of Copper which is required by an enzyme within the body that produces melanin that maintains our skin and hair colour. From skin-protecting antioxidants to minerals for healthy strong hair, skin and nails, could cacao be part of your beauty regimen?
Great for the Skin
When Cacao is applied to the skin, it stimulates the blood circulation, soothes fine lines and prevents premature aging, help restore cell function, fight free radicals and repair the skin cells. You get the same benefits when applied to the skin as you do when you eat it. It’s a very potent anti-inflammatory so it soothes redness, blemishes improving the skin’s complexion giving your skin such a beautiful glow.
Heart Energy
As we know cacao is physically good for our hearts but it can also emotionally open it too. For centuries raw cacao has been used to unlock euphoric states by the Olmec people in South America who used to use it as ceremonial medicine and it was used traditionally used by ancient Shamans as well. It releases negative energy and connects us to our heart energy, our Heart Chakra.
When this energy centre becomes blocked, it can lead to feelings of jealousy, fear of intimacy, co-dependency, trying to please at all costs, playing the victim, being anti-social, isolation. Cacao can help these blockages and help you feel more connected to yourself and the world around you.
Cacao contains many natural active chemicals which help release feel good emotions. One of these active ingredients called Theobromine increases the release of dopamine to the brain. Phenethylamine, the chemical that is released within the body during emotional euphoria is also found in Cacao and it’s known to relieve stress and depression.
Cacao and Pregnancy
Some women can have some strange cravings whilst pregnant but there’s almost one universal craving, chocolate! Consuming raw cacao during pregnancy has some great benefits. Here are a few reasons why:-
Lowers the risk of preeclampsia
Regulates blood pressure
Contains essential antioxidants
Prevents heart disease
Relives stress
Gives happier babies
Regulates cholesterol levels
Good Sources of Magnesium and Iron
Decreases the chances of miscarriage
Better Foetal Development
Healthy Weight gain
So now you can feel justified when you send your partner out late in the evening when you’ve got none in the cupboards!
