Cacao is essentially raw chocolate, also called raw cacao nibs, and it provides important benefits to your intestinal regularity, heart and blood vessels and blood sugar level.
Dietary Fiber - Cacao may help to keep your bowel movements regular. A 1-ounce serving of raw cacao nibs contains 36% of the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber, or 9 grams.
Cardiovascular Health - One of the main health benefits of cacao is for the arteries in your heart and brain. Consuming cacao foods may decrease your likelihood of having a stroke or heart attack, according to clinical studies published in the "Journal of the American College of Cardiology" and the "Journal of Internal Medicine."
Polyphenols - Cacao polyphenols may improve the health of your heart and brain arteries by serving as antioxidants and inhibiting blood platelets from forming a clot. If your blood cholesterol is somewhat elevated, cacao polyphenols may also lower your “bad” cholesterol, and raise your “good” cholesterol levels.
Blood Pressure and Glucose - The fiber and polyphenols in cacao may work together to help control your blood pressure and blood glucose levels, as suggested by a recent clinical study in "Food and Function."
Wild Blueberry & Cacao Smoothie
- 1/2 cup kale, finely chopped
- 1 cup frozen wild blueberries
- 1 banana (fresh or frozen)
- 1 T raw cacoa powder
- 1/2 cup liquid - either coconut milk, almond milk, hemp milk OR water
- 1 T chia seed
- 1/2 cup kale, finely chopped
- 1 cup frozen wild blueberries
- 1 banana (fresh or frozen)
- 1 T raw cacoa powder
- 1/2 cup liquid - either coconut milk, almond milk, hemp milk OR water
- 1 T chia seed
Mix in a blender and enjoy!
