The Health Benefits of Cacao Beans and How to Use Them

You might have seen a few cacao bean bags on the shelves of your local food shops. Perhaps you’ve encountered them as you’re reading for a few superfoods that you can try. But are cacao beans healthy, as people claim, or could it only make it harder for you to keep up with your diet?

As most people call them, Superfoods are foods that contain significantly higher quantities of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other health-boosting nourishment that your body needs. While these foods are readily available in the supermarket, others are pretty exotic and can only be found in other countries like Peru.

So, to help you delve into the world of superfoods, let’s look at cacao beans and why many consider them one of the top superfoods.

Top Benefits of Cacao Beans

Provide Added Protection to the Cardiovascular System

Cacao beans are rich in flavonoids. These are anti-inflammatory antioxidants that help protect the heart and the arteries in both your heart and brain. It also helps thin the blood, which prevents clotting. Thus, improving your blood circulation while preventing heart disease and lower blood pressure.

Contain Anti-aging Properties

Cacao beans contain high amounts of antioxidants, which effectively improve the quality of your skin and prevent your cells from prematurely aging. The antioxidant in cacao shields your cells from advanced deterioration while helping your skin appear healthier and youthful.

Super Rich in Iron

Cacao beans are also ideal for people looking for a plant-based source of iron. With at least 100 grams, you can already acquire at least 7.3 milligrams. This amount compares to spinach at only 3.6 milligrams. However, remember that the iron found in cacao is non-heme. So, you’ll need to combine it with Vitamin C to achieve its maximum benefits.

Boost One’s Mood

Cacao is a great source of various happy hormones like tyrosine and serotonin. It even has tryptophan and phenylethylamine, too. When consumed, the neurotransmitters in the cacao can cause a person to feel happy and boost their moods. It’s a healthy and natural way to kickstart your day with an energized feeling.

Reduce the Chance of Heart Disease

High cholesterol levels can put anyone at risk of developing heart disease, especially when left untreated. Fortunately, because of cacao beans’ low bad cholesterol levels (low-density lipoprotein and high good cholesterol levels (high-density lipoprotein), they’re an excellent choice for those who want to have a heart-healthy treat.

Contain a Good Amount of Fat

Contrary to what some people believe, not all kinds of fat are harmful to your diet. It would be best if you still had healthy fats to stimulate chemical reactions in your body to boost your immunity and provide you with better metabolism. Unprocessed cacao beans can be an excellent source of healthy fats.

Improve Brain Function

Consuming cacao beans can also boost flavanol absorption in the hippocampus. It’s the region primarily responsible for a person’s cognitive ability. These flavanols that go through the bloodstream form new neurons while shielding your body from free radicals.

Boost Digestion

Because of cacao beans’ high dietary fibre and magnesium, consuming raw cacao regularly can help protect yourself from constipation and enhance your overall health. You can even whip up some quick chocolate porridge every morning to boost your digestive tract.

Prevent Tooth Decay

Theobromine, another primary component of cacao beans, also reduces the chances of cavity build-up by protecting your teeth against tooth decay. This compound has antibacterial properties that combat plaque while strengthening your tooth enamel and lessening any chances of tooth decay developing.

Contain Anti-inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is the immune system’s natural response to foreign pathogens or damaged cells to help protect itself from its adverse effects. However, chronic inflammation caused by free radicals can cause your body to weaken. This can make you vulnerable to various diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. Cacao beans are rich in antioxidants, so they’ll help reduce the chances of inflammation in the body and keep you protected against potential chronic diseases.

Excellent Source of Potassium

Another factor why cacao beans improve a person’s cardiovascular system is their potassium level. Aside from being an excellent nutrient for regulating blood pressure, potassium can also be effective at lowering the risk of heart disease and even arthritis.

The Bottomline

Nowadays, cacao beans are available online and in almost all food stores. But if you’re looking for quality products, it’s always best to look at the label. Get your supplies only from a reputable brand to ensure their quality. So, whether you’re into raw, roasted or unroasted cacao beans, you’ll find one that’ll fit your taste buds.