Before I go into the top reasons why you should be eating chocolate every single day, we must make one thing clear.
When I say “chocolate,” I mean raw cacao, which is the purest form of chocolate straight from the cacao plant. You can easily find it in powder form at your local health food store. You can also find it as cacao nibs and cacao paste, but the powder makes it easier to use on the daily.
Ready to sprinkle that chocolatey goodness on basically anything you eat? Here are four reasons that are a good idea:
1. Cacao is high in antioxidants.
Raw cacao is one of the highest sources of antioxidants among all plant foods. It contains more than 300 phytochemicals and an abundance of flavonoids. These antioxidants help prevent damage caused by diabetes as well as daily stressors. By consuming a diet rich in antioxidants, you are basically protecting yourself from cellular damage.
2. Cacao is a mood enhancer.
Cacao influences the neurotransmitters in the brain, especially those involved with mood. It acts by way of phenylethylamine, which is a chemical that is naturally produced when we are excited. Cacao leads to increased focus, improved awareness, and a quickened pulse. It also contains anandamide, which is known as the “bliss molecule.” The molecule earned its name because it is similar to THC, the active chemical in marijuana. Add a spoonful of raw cacao to your oatmeal for an uplifting meal.
3. Cacao helps maintain nerve function.
Cacao is one of the best all-natural plant sources of magnesium, which is a mineral that is pretty essential to hundreds of biochemical reactions. Magnesium plays a critical role in nerve function, making it a superfood for the brain and neural pathways throughout the body. This is useful as diabetes leads to nerve damage in many diabetics.
4. Cacao is good for digestion.
All of that magnesium helps with digestion, too. Magnesium support muscle functioning by relaxing smooth muscles tissue, including those in your intestines. It is also packed with fiber, offering nearly two grams of fiber in just a single tablespoon. Don’t worry, though. It won’t cause too much flow either, thanks to the polyphenols. Polyphenols reduce secretions in the intestines which can lead to diarrhea.
[expand title=”References“]
Dr. Axe. URL Link. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
[/expand]
