Raw Food: Why Raw Cacao Beans Are a Super Food

Raw chocolate is one of the healthiest foods on the earth. Organic food research is continually proving that raw chocolate such as raw cacao nibs, raw cacao butter, raw cacao powder and other types of raw chocolate in their natural state is a super food. The problem is that most chocolate has been highly processed and heated, throwing away all of the vital nutrients.

According to raw food expert, many ingredients are added to chocolate which have a negative impact on our health. Sugar, for example, destroys the immune system and causes diabetes, premature aging and other serious health problems. Studies also show that adding milk to chocolate cancels out all of the goodness. Raw chocolate is chocolate that hasn't gone through any sort of heating or processing, so all of the nutrients are still intact says Organic food expert.

What are Cacao beans?
Cacao beans are the seed of a fruit that grows on the cacao tree. Cacao trees originated in the Amazon basin, and they will only grow in a very warm, moist, shady environment. Cacao beans were so highly valued by ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations, they were used as money. Cacao beans are naturally sugar free and taste somewhat bitter in their raw form.They contain many nutrients that are beneficial to our health in a variety of ways. Although eating raw cacao beans would provide you with the direct benefits of pure cacao, nutritionists agree that cacao found in dark chocolate is also very beneficial.

Raw chocolate contain high amounts of:
Anti-oxidants: more than any other food and helps greatly with healing skin.
Magnesium: helps with mineral deficiency
Chromium: also helps with mineral deficiency
Vitamin C: important nutrient and helps assist the body in the production of collagen

Therefore if you include these little beans in your diet, you are getting a concentrated source on anti-oxidants, magnesium, chromium and high levels of vitamin C. Also, the phenylethylamine, or PEA contained in cacao beans affects brain chemistry in a very positive way. To say you "love" chocolate may not be too far off, since PEA produces a brain chemistry that's similar to that associated with falling in love!