Folklore aside, food scientists have discovered in recent years that raw chocolate in its most natural and unprocessed form possesses amazing qualities and properties. The German scientist Alexander von Humboldt considered the cacao bean “a phenomenon, for nowhere else has nature concentrated such a wealth of valuable nourishment in so small a space.”
David Wolfe, known as one of the foremost nutritionists of our time, considers cacao beans, or raw chocolate, a superfood. He defines superfoods as nutritionally rich foods with remarkable dietary properties and health benefits.
His list of superfoods includes several organic plant products, such as bee pollen, honey, goji berries, cacao beans (raw chocolate), maca, hempseed, reishi mushrooms, and others. When consumed in their raw and unprocessed form, and of course free of chemicals (think organic!), these superfoods are a main source of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and essential fatty and amino acids.
Raw chocolate in particular contains an impressive list of approximately 1,200 valuable nutrients, vitamins and minerals, some of which come in significant quantities as well.
Key Nutrients in Raw Cacao Beans
- Antioxidants – Cacao beans have the highest anti-oxidant concentration of any food. According to research conducted by Cornell University food scientists, cacao beans have twice as many antioxidants as red wine and up to three times the antioxidants found in green tea.
- Magnesium – Magnesium supports heart health, increases brain activity, improves flexibility and helps build strong bones, and yet, according to David Wolfe, more than 80% of Americans are deficient in magnesium. The main source of magnesium in nature is raw chocolate.
- Anandamide – Also known as “the bliss chemical”, anandamide is a type of oil which, when released, induces feelings of well-being and happiness. Eating chocolate will lead to such feelings.
- Tryptophan and Serotonin – Cacao beans contain significant quantities of tryptophan, another mood-enhancing nutrient, which is critical for the production of serotonin. Serotonin helps lower anxiety and fight stress.
- Vitamin C – Cacao beans have no sugar but contain many useful substances including protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, iron, calcium, vitamin B, C and E.
Losing Weight While Eating Chocolate – Myth or Fact?
Many people trying to lose weight think that they need to stay away from chocolate. However, there is no evidence that links chocolate to weight gain. In fact, chocolate decreases appetite, which is why many weight loss products contain chocolate. The trick though is to eat raw organic chocolate free of chemicals and added sugar. “After centuries of industrial food, people are fed up. We are now seeing a return to the magic of pure food…” (David Wolfe and Shazzie, Naked Chocolate. San Diego, CA: Maul Brothers Publishing, 2005)
 |
