Grown in the Amazon Basin, South America, cacao is known as Food of the Gods and is one of the most mineral rich superfoods with high levels of magnesium, calcium and iron. Raw cacao contains 20 times more antioxidants than blueberries and is rich in polyphenols which may help reduce cholesterol and support heart health. But best of all it increases serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a feel-good chemical which is why eating chocolate makes you so happy!!
Cacao is made by cold-pressing unroasted cacao beans. The process of making cacao is minimal and preserves all of its benefits. The first rule of thumb when it comes to buying chocolate is that chocolate is not created equal! Very cheap chocolate contains ingredients which are mainly fillers like soy lecithin and the amount of actual chocolate or cocoa (from the cacao bean) is very low. Avoid brands if the first ingredient is sugar and not cocoa. Make sure you look for chocolate with minimal ingredients and a cocoa minimum of at least 70%. The higher the percentage the darker the chocolate the better it is for you as it contains those disease fighting antioxidants. If you can get dark chocolate which is Fair Trade, even better!
And remember its ok to treat yourself but ‘treats’ don’t mean eating that whole block of chocolate in one go! If you’re a chocaholic try limiting yourself to a couple of squares a day. Try not to use chocolate (or ‘cheat’ food in general) as a reward for training hard. Reward yourself with a massage, downloading that new Netflix season or a relaxing swim at the beach instead.
Mojo Health recommends switching to Australian made and owned raw dark chocolate from brands Loving Earth or Pana.
Words by: Sonya Todd-Jones Dip Health Sciences (Pathology), Dip Practice Management, Dip RM, Owner & Manager Mojo Health