The SCIENCE of CACAO

Cacao beans may look like your average crop but despite its unassuming appearance, it holds wonders beneficial to one’s overall well-being. In fact, during ancient times, cacao has been valued more than gold due to its medicinal, spiritual and healing properties. Up to now, cacao is still highly sought after and has earned the tag ‘superfood’, this is because it’s packed with numerous dietary benefits such as anti-oxidants, lipids, fiber, and minerals.

All these healthy reasons are enough to encourage us to finally, truly bring the 'superhero' back to its rightful place -- the superfood cacao as hero ingredient of every chocolate product and dish we create. You will now see chocolates without much sugar, milk or vanilla because we don't want the flavor of our premium cacao beans masked. Join us as we learn more about our superhero Cacao!

 Antioxidants

Cacao contains polyphenols that prohibits oxidation of the body’s molecules. It neutralizes and removes free radicals in the bloodstream that might cause chronic diseases.

Lipids

In a controlled study made by the Penn State University, it showed that eating dark chocolates and nuts regularly have favorable effects in Coronary Heart Disease. [2] The study showed that chocolate and almond diet provided a great decrease in small dense LDL particles.

Fiber

A diet rich in fiber prevents constipation, controls blood sugar, and helps in lowering the cholesterol.

Minerals

Cacao is noted to be an excellent source of magnesium. [4] Magnesium is an antiarrhythmic and hypotensive agent, and its deficiency has been linked to the metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and diabetes. Other minerals found in cacao are iron, copper, potassium and zinc.

Other Cacao Benefits

Relieves Asthma

Cacao may help in [8] providing relief in bronchial asthma by relaxing and opening constricted bronchial tubes.

Enhances Mood

Cacao improves positive mood as well. Studies have shown that its flavonols helps combat depression and it also promotes aphrodisiac effects [9] by releasing serotonin and phenylethylamine that enhances mood and attention.

Improves Skin Care

According to a publication by the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, [10] researchers suggest that cacao extract may offer a protective effect that reduces wrinkle formation. It also boosts skin by improving blood flow, skin density and hydration.

With all these evidence-based studies that promote the health benefits of cacao, you may now enjoy your dark chocolate without guilt. After all, cacao is known as  ‘food for the gods’.  

History of Chocolates

Have you ever wondered, where this piece of oozing bittersweet, yummy, dark square shaped food called chocolate originated from? Click here to go back in chocolatey history.

 

 

References:

1. Wan , Y. , Vinson , J. A. , Etherton , T. D. , Proch , J. , Lazarus ,
2. A. , and Kris - Etherton , P. M. Effects of cocoa powder and dark chocolate on LDL oxidative susceptibility and prostaglandin concentrations in humans . American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2001 ; 74 : 596 – 602 .

2. Medscape Medical News 2017. Daily Dose of Almonds, Dark Chocolate May Improve Lipid Profile - Medscape - Dec 04, 2017

3. Lecumberri E¹, Mateos R, Ramos S, Alía M, Rúperez P, Goya L, Izquierdo-Pulido M, Bravo L. Characterization of cocoa fiber and its effect on the antioxidant capacity of serum in rats. Instituto del Frío (CSIC), Departamento de Metabolismo y Nutrición, Madrid, España. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17044609

4. Giovanni Scapagnini,^1,2,*Sergio Davinelli,^1,2Laura Di Renzo,³ Antonino De Lorenzo,³Hector Hugo Olarte,⁴ Giuseppe Micali,⁵ Arrigo F. Cicero,⁶ and Salvador Gonzalez^7,8.Cocoa Bioactive Compounds: Significance and Potential for the Maintenance of Skin Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4145303/

5. Donatella Lippi. Chocolate in History: Food, Medicine, Medi-Food https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3708337/

6. Latif R¹. Health benefits of Cocoa. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care.2013 Nov;16(6):669-74. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e328365a235. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24100674

7. Kris Gunnars. 7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate. Healthline.com. May 30 2017.

8. Robert Vassallo, M.D., James J. Lipsky, M.D. Theophylline: Recent Advances in the Understanding of Its Mode of Action and Uses in Clinical Practice http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(11)63701-4/fulltext

9. Matthew P Pase, Andrew B Scholey, Andrew Pipingas, Marni Kras, Karen Nolidin, Amy Gibbs, Keith Wesnes, Con Stough. Cocoa polyphenols enhance positive mood states but not cognitive performance: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. First Published January 29, 2013. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0269881112473791

10. Jong-Eun Kim, et.al Oral Supplementation with Cocoa Extract Reduces UVB-Induced Wrinkles in Hairless Mouse Skin. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. May 2016 Volume 136, Issue 5, Pages 1012–1021. http://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(16)00457-7/abstract

11. Afoakwa EO, MPhil, PhD Cocoa and chocolate consumption. S Afr J Clin Nutr 2008; 21(3):107-113. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/200f/2b6d92559a66b0b2490f0d80fd1ab1f25829.pdf