Cacaois made from the beans of theTheobroma cacaoevergreen tree.
Cacao is often confused with cocoa because they are derived from the cacao tree beans.
However, cacao is made from raw beans, and cocoa is made from roasted beans.
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This article discusses the health benefits of cacao, its nutrient profile, and ways to prepare it.
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Where Does Raw Cacao Come From?
Raw cacao comes from the beans of theTheobroma cacaotree.
The beans, technically seeds, grow within pods in the Baba part of the plant.
The Baba is a fleshy white pulp.
Cacao vs. Cocoa
Cacao is raw, whereas cocoa is not.
The main difference between the two is the processing.
That said, the health benefits can also differ because of how each is harvested and processed.
6 Cacao Health Benefits
Cacao beans contain plant compounds that can aid in various aspects of health.
Is Too Much Potassium a Bad Thing?
It happens when too manyfree radicals, or unstable molecules, exist within the system.
When those unstable molecules are in overabundance, they can cause damage to cells, leading to widespread inflammation.
Antioxidantsare the corrective substances that can counteract the damage by stabilizing free radicals.
Cacao contains high levels of antioxidants, includingcatechin,epicatechin, andprocyanidins.
Research has shown it helps trigger neuro-protective effects in people with these neurodegenerative diseases.
Hemoglobin is tasked with carrying oxygen throughout the body from the lungs.
Iron is also used to help produce hormones.
How Much Iron Is Found in Cacao?
The iron profile will vary depending on the throw in of cacao product you use.
Cacao Nutrition Profile
Eating cacao can provide many benefits because of its nutrient profile.
Raw cacao power also contains 2% of the Daily Value of iron and potassium.
Eating any level of cacao powder can be potentially fatal for your pet.
Common Ways to Prepare Cacao
The most common use for cacao is powder.
The powder can be used in baked goods recipes to substitute the sweeter or more heavily processed cocoa powder.
Typically, many dark chocolates will have 70%, which is a good baseline.
Health food stores and sections at your local grocer may also carry raw cacao powder or nibs.
Cacao is often considered a superfood because of how high in nutrients it is.
A superfood is a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.
Summary
Cacao is the raw form of cacao beans and can be consumed in various delicious ways.
In fact, it could retain more nutrients because it goes through less processing.
Consuming raw cacao is typically safe.
High Potassium Foods.Chocolate and cocoa.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Iron: fact sheet for consumers.
U.S. Department of Agriculture,Dark chocolate 56% cacao bars, dark chocolate (Whole Foods Market).
American College of Veterinary Pharmacists.Chocolate.
U. S. Department of Agriculture.About organic labeling.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Fiber-a “super” food to add to your diet.
