Raw chocolate is derived from the cacao bean. While most chocolate has been processed with unhealthy additives like dairy or sugar, chocolate consumed in its raw, natural form – cacao – actually provides many health benefits. Yes, chocolate can be good for you, which is very good news for chocoholics.

Raw cacao contains a lot of magnesium, which is one of the most essential alkaline minerals necessary for our bodies. Magnesium performs an instrumental role in maintaining our body’s metabolism by helping veins and arteries relax, improving circulation and allowing for more efficient blood flow and the transport of oxygen and essential nutrients. Magnesium is also good for the bones and teeth. It helps to energize and relax the muscles, boosts brainpower and increases the body’s overall pH, which is the key to good health.

Unfortunately, most of the Western World’s population is magnesium deficient. Consuming plenty of raw, natural cacao can actually help to reverse that deficiency, but most people are unaware of the health properties of this highly coveted, yet often avoided food.

Cacao also contains high amounts of other minerals, including iron, which is also critical to the transport of oxygen in the blood. Raw cacao also contains chromium, manganese and zinc. Chromium and manganese are important for health as well; chromium helps the body to maintain balanced blood sugar levels, while manganese assists iron in the formation of hemoglobin, which oxygenates the blood. Zinc is essential for our body’s immune system function.

Chocolate is also a mood enhancer in its raw form, and not just because it tastes delicious. Raw cacao contains natural chemicals and amino acids, which boost mood and concentration, including phenylethylamine (PEA, which is a neurotransmitter that our bodies naturally produce when we fall in love). It also contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid responsible for serotonin production. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to boost mood. Many Americans are tryptophan deficient, accounting for the increasing depression rates in this country.

Raw cacao is rich in antioxidants as well. Antioxidants support immune function by ridding the body of excessive free radicals, which contribute to the growth of cancer cells and disease. Dark chocolate is especially rich in antioxidants. Several studies have shown that raw cacao may, in fact be linked with increased human longevity. The world’s oldest, documented human to have ever lived – Jeanne Lousie Calment of France – lived to be 122. Rumor has it one of her secrets was the consumption of more 2 and a half pounds of bitter, dark chocolate per week. Apparently, the world’s 3rd oldest person to have ever lived also enjoyed the benefits of dark chocolate. The most surprising statistic surrounding the health benefits of chocolate is that the world’s oldest dog to have ever lived – Chanel – also enjoyed it regularly, and even once consumed an entire bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. While it is normally considered toxic for dogs, Chanel ate chocolate and still lived to be 21, hich is 147 in dog years!

Raw cacao is packed with many health benefits, and if consumed regularly, in its natural form, it may even help to increase your overall life span.

Sources:

http://www.secrets-of-longevity-in-humans.com/raw-cacao-benefits.html
http://www.suite101.com/content/health-benefits-of-raw-cacao-products-a272136
http://www.hidalgofoods.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=42

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February is here, and you know what that means? Valentines day is nearly among us! Valentines day doesn’t have to feel like something commercial and phony, rather it is an awesome opportunity to pause and reflect on the love in our lives; that which we give and receive everyday. It is a great reminder to open our hearts, breath deeply, and feel love always. If there was only one food on Earth that could be chosen to symbolize love and the heart chakra it would be the cacao bean. Rich in magnesium and flavanoids, it helps keep the heart healthy on a physical level, but cacao also works with heart energy on an emotional level. Cacao contains a few very special chemicals that work with our adrenals and our brains, the most noted being phenylethylamine or PEA, serotonin, tyramine, and tryptophan. All of these chemicals work with our nervous system to create a sense of well being, calmness and joy. PEA in particular is often called “the love chemical” because it induces or heightens those wonderful feelings we get when we are falling in love.

When it comes to getting all of the immense benefits of cacao, eating it in it’s raw form is the way to go. RawGuru has many different raw chocolate goodies to choose from to fit a wide variety of different chocolate preferences. Of course there is our top selling and infamous Rawtella, which is the perfect treat for a Valentines day brunch as a fruit dip or crepe filling. Just make sure you gently melt it before hand to turn it into a creamy-dreamy consistency perfect for coating fresh strawberries. We also carry Fortina bars made from truly raw, sprouted and stone ground cacao which is sweetened with wild local rizona honey. These are particularly powerful chocolate bars!

Also in stock are chocolate bars from Golden Bean, Gnosis, and Righteously Raw. If you haven't tried the Rose Bar from Righteously Raw you absolutely must! Sweetened with raw palm sugar, this bar is the perfect balance of delicate rose, raspberry, maqui berry, beet crystals and dark luscious chocolate. If chocolate bars aren’t on the agenda we also offer ChocAlive truffles, as well as Spirit Bliss Passion and L.O.V.E Cups made with raw yacon or agave. Also, we can't forget to mention our amazing chocolate making ingredients such as cocoa powder, cocoa butter, coconut oil, cacao nibs, vanilla bean, raw unprocessed salts, all-raw sweeteners, and superfoods such as medicinal mushrooms, blue green algae, mesquite pod meal, lucuma, and more! All of our cacao treats are made with organic or sustainable, fair trade ingredients and are just as great for the planet as they are for the people you love the most in your life.

Enjoy your Valentines Day experience with an open heart filled to the brim with love (and plenty of raw chocolate!) Order early to ensure you get your chocolate treats right on time.

by Anna Hays

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