Cacao Powder

Health Benefits and Best Deals

You’re probably no stranger to this latest health supplement. The cacao bean, or, as most know it, the cocoa bean, is a source of all kinds of health benefits. That’s right, we’re giving you an excuse to eat more chocolate (sort of.)

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What is Cacao Powder?

Cacao beans are the seeds that are used to make chocolate. They come from the cacao tree, which is native to tropical regions like Central and South America. The beans grow in a leathery yellow pod, and are roasted after being freed from this rind. After cocoa butter is extracted from the bean, the remaining solids can be processed into cacao powder. You may know cacao powder as the fine, dark brown chocolate powder that makes brownies, hot cocoa, and red velvet cupcakes so delicious!

Different Ways to Use/Consume

Cacao powder is sold pure as is, though it can also be found in small amounts in pre-made desserts. Unfortunately, most of these are laden with sugar, unhealthy fats, and way too many calories. The best way to get the health benefits of cacao powder is, therefore, to look for inventive ways to add the raw powder to your diet! Look for raw, unsweetened cacao powder in stores, which is the purest you’ll find.

Uses for cacao powder will be obvious to the chocolate-lovers amongst us, but the first recipes that come to mind are not always the healthiest. Instead of chocolate brownies, try a chocolate-banana smoothie! Mix it in with your morning oatmeal for a fiber boost. If you’re feeling creative, try making cacao milk (a healthier, chocolate milk drink.) Think raw, healthy foods and fresh fruits to go with your cacao powder rather than butter and oil. Save the (cocoa) butter for your skin!

Average Cost and Best Deals

Another cheap, and easy, powder to get access to. Almost every grocery store sells cacao powder. Stores may even sell their own brand-name version at a lower cost. Several chocolate companies put out their own brands of cacao powder, as do natural foods and health companies. Natural, unsweetened cacao powder usually sells for about $3 – $5 for an 8-ounce container. If you want organic cacao powder, the price goes up a little to $8 – $10 for your 8 ounces.

Health Benefits, Side Effects and Uses of Cacao Powder

Cacao powder is, of course, packed with a variety of nutritional boost and health benefits. First, these beans have a lot of flavonoids, a natural antioxidant. Raw cacao was found by one Cornell study to have twice the antioxidant value of red wine.

Next, cacao is high in magnesium, which is thought to improve energy levels. Plus, cacao is thought to reduce your likelihood of stroke or heart attack. The high fiber in raw cacao powder regulates your digestion and can make you feel fuller faster.

The powder also has sulfur, which is good for your hair and nails. Finally, like chocolate, cacao powder contains anandamide, a chemical that causes euphoria, as well as the mood enhancer PEA.

Like with regular chocolate, it’s easy to overdo it with cacao powder. It’s not recommended that you consume more than 40 grams of this substance per day, as it can interfere with calcium retention. Unlike chocolate, cacao powder will not bother dairy-free people, as it contains none! But too much of this powder can lead to constipation, nausea, and general intestinal discomfort. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you need to monitor your intact carefully, as the powder does contain a good amount of it.

Why Cacao Powder?

It’s cheap, and it’s great for your wellbeing, overall! Not only does this powder boost your health, it boosts your mood. Plus, to get a little opinionated, cacao is delicious. It goes great with most fruits and all nuts, allowing you to get creative with smoothies and healthy dishes.

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What’s your favorite smoothie recipe using Cacao Powder? Let us know in the comments below!