Bitter Food Hero No3: Cacao
The bitter brown stuff that's too often vandalised by sugar, is one of the world's healthiest foods.
Dark chocolate. You’re supposed to eat it, but it may not be a regular in your shopping basket. Why? Well, chocolate is supposed to be drool-inducing. Sadly, the dark variety has more taste defects than a backyard bred French Bulldog. Even if you combo dark chocolate with extras like dried fruits or candy, its bitterness remains as subtle as a rat trap in a jock strap.
Unsurprisingly, since it tastes like medicine, it acts like it too. We’ve only just caught on to this benefit, but back in 1500BC the Olmecs loved it and soon the Mayans and Aztecs farmed it too. Even taxes were paid in these dark beans which then became a form of money; however the benefits of these magic beans is far more valuable for your health.
Cocoa vs Cacao
These terms are not interchangeable. Cacao is the raw beans that haven’t been roasted while cocoa are the roasted beans. Just like those roasted almonds, applying a little heat turns up the positive flavor vibes in the cocoa, but it can desalinate some of the goodness out of it.
The unprocessed cacao version is far more bitter. This tasteful note is an indicator of its healthiness because it’s jammed with more flavonoid antioxidants and minerals than cocoa. How good? Unparalleled. Cacao boasts the highest flavonoid content in the world, which lowers heart disease, cancers, and mental decline. Yep, it’s a healing stallion that’ll keep you galloping toward the pastures of a very long life. A one trick pony it is not because here’s what else you can expect from the bitterest of beans.
Super Sport Supplement
A body of research was inspired by nitrate rich beetroot juice, which is known to dilate blood vessels and reduce O2 consumption, allowing athletes to train for longer. People that scoffed 40g of dark chocolate a day were able to cycle further in 2-minute time trials compared to those who didn’t eat it. It works the same as beetroot juice but probably taste a whole lot better.
A Metronomic Ticker
Calling someone a chocolate soldier may be a serious insult, but it’s something your heart may perceive as a compliment. People who took cocoa extract for roughly 5 years, reduced they’re likely hood of cardiovascular disease by 27%. And anything cocoa can do; cacao can do better.
Think Tank
Chocolate does a mean job of keeping your grey matter in fighting shape. People who regularly scoffed cocoa solved problems 11% faster thanks the high flavanol levels which increase the oxygen levels in their brains. Proof that you probably make all your best decisions after a chocolate bar.
KO Inflation
The cliché that stressed spelt backwards is deserts may not be total waffle. People who indulged in dark chocolate had high levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in their blood that fights inflammation and lowers stress. That’s not all it can do. Drinking a cup of hot cocoa helps blood vessels function better during mental stress, thanks to its high levels of flavanols.
The Tipping Point
This sound suspiciously good? Chocolate and trust issue go together like dentists giving away free lollipops. This is because these beans roll with a bad crew, namely sugar and sweeteners. Having a sweet tooth not only puts you at risk of diabetes and being overweight but it also causes your mitochondria to be sluggish which lowers your energy levels. End result? You’re left to look as lively as a Hershey Kiss on a sidewalk on a summer’s day. So go easy on the sugary sweetened stuff and rather try to eat 10-30g of raw cacao on the daily, in smoothies or on your oats, to be the healthiest kind of chocoholic.