Healthy Chocolate - Say It Isn't So!

Raw Cacao (Raw Chocolate). I love chocolate….A LOT! When I heard raw chocolate was a superfood, I had to learn more. Chocolate in raw form, referred to as “Cacao” has many health benefits. It is naturally rich in antioxidants - 14 times the amount found in red wine, and 21 times that found in green tea. It is also rich in fiber, iron, and magnesium. Just 2.5 Tablespoons has 23% of your daily magnesium, 16% fiber, and 8% iron. Magnesium is beneficial for heart health, aids in digesting fat and protein, brain alertness, and mental health; seems like a great excuse to eat more cacao! Unfortunately not all chocolate is created the same. Only raw cacao has these benefits, not processed chocolate or cocoa powder. The production process is very different for each type. Cocoa powder is heated and often soaked in potassium carbonate to alkalize the cocoa powder. The heat and chemicals kill the antioxidants and destroy a lot of the fiber, iron, and magnesium.

Raw Cacao can be used the same as any other cocoa powder would be and cacao nibs are great substitutes for chocolate chips. Be on the look out for a delicious chocolate kale smoothie recipe to come…