Raw chocolate is a trend that’s here to stay. Packed with antioxidants and other health-boosting properties, raw chocolate is an ideal snack for keeping stress levels in check. It helps keep your blood pressure and heart healthy as well. There are different types of raw chocolate available in the market today, but you should be aware of which ones are good for you and which ones aren’t. Read on to know more about the various benefits of raw chocolate, its types, and nutrition facts before you indulge in it again.
What Is Raw Chocolate?
Raw chocolate is made from cacao beans that have not undergone any processing or heat treatment. This means that it is made with cocoa butter and cacao powder that hasn’t been roasted or stirred. The majority of the benefits of raw chocolate come from the high levels of antioxidants in it. These antioxidants protect your body from free radicals and boost your immunity. This same process can help reduce your risk of diabetes (also helps in reverse your diabetes), heart attack, and cancer.
Raw chocolate comes in a variety of flavors such as mint, hazelnut, coconut, and vanilla. It is available as a bar and can be crumbled over desserts, blended into shakes and smoothies, or eaten as is. It is also available in the form of powder that can be combined with water and made into a drink. You can also buy raw chocolate in the form of nibs, crumbled or ground chunks of the cacao bean.
How Is Raw Chocolate Different From Regular Chocolate?
Raw chocolate is different from regular chocolate because it hasn’t gone through the roasting or stirring process that regular chocolate has. While regular chocolate is processed and refined, raw chocolate is made with unprocessed cacao beans that are naturally rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Raw chocolate is made from raw cacao beans that haven’t been heated above 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is significantly lower than the temperatures used in traditional chocolate making, where the beans are roasted at 230 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple of hours. The main difference between raw and traditional chocolate is the low temperature used in processing raw chocolate. While traditional chocolate is roasted at high temperatures to enhance its flavor, raw chocolate is made from fresh cacao beans that have not been roasted.
Health Benefits Of Raw Chocolate
Best certified doctors all over the world recommends raw chocolate for the following benefits:
– Better Skin And Hair – Raw chocolate contains plenty of vitamin B6, which keeps your skin healthy and soft. Dermatologists recommend it as vitamin B6 also helps promote healthy hair growth and prevent hair loss.
– Improved Mood – Raw chocolate is packed with an amino acid called tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin in your body. Serotonin is a hormone that regulates mood and helps prevent depression and anxiety.
– Improved Heart Health – Raw chocolate contains polyphenols like flavonoids and other antioxidants that prevent your arteries from hardening and clotting. This means that your heart and blood pressure remain healthy.
– Improved Brain Function – Raw chocolate is rich in magnesium, a mineral that helps regulate your nervous system and promotes healthy brain function. – Weight Loss – If you’re looking to shed a few pounds, raw chocolate is a great snack for you. It contains caffeine, which helps speed up your metabolism and is said to burn more fat than other nutrients.
– All-Day Energy – Raw chocolate contains B vitamins, iron, and magnesium, which are all essential for a healthy metabolism and daily energy.
Types Of Raw Chocolates You Can Find In The Market
– Raw Cacao – This is the purest and most unprocessed form of chocolate, made with cacao beans that have been fermented, roasted, and ground into a powder. It is an excellent source of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins and can be used to make chocolates, hot cocoa, and other desserts.
– Raw Cacao Nibs – These are roasted cacao nibs that have been ground into small pieces. They are less processed than roasted cocoa beans, but more processed than unroasted cacao beans. Like other pure cacao products, these nibs are high in antioxidants and make excellent additions to desserts, smoothies, and other drinks.
– Raw Cacao Butter – This is the fat extracted from raw cacao beans, and it is rich in essential fatty acids. It is available in bars and can be used to make chocolates and other desserts.
– Raw Cacao Powder – This is a powder made from raw cacao beans and is rich in antioxidants. It has a bitter taste, so it is often mixed with other sweeteners to make desserts and drinks.
– Raw Carob – This is a legume that is often used as a substitute for raw cacao in health or vegan foods. It is rich in protein and minerals, but has significantly less antioxidants and vitamins than raw cacao.
Nutrition Facts About Raw Chocolates
– Calories – Raw chocolate is high in calories, but that isn’t unusual for a snack food. It isn’t a meal replacement, so it isn’t meant to provide all your daily nutrients.
– Fat – The fat in raw chocolate comes from cocoa butter, which is a healthy fat that lowers your bad cholesterol, good for weight loss and helps regulate your blood pressure. Some types of raw chocolate may also contain saturated fats from other ingredients in the recipe.
– Carbohydrates – Raw chocolate is rich in carbohydrates and fiber, making it a good source of energy. Carbohydrates are non-essential, meaning your body doesn’t need them to survive, but can use them as energy and fuel.
– Fiber – Raw chocolate is high in fiber, which helps regulate your digestion and keep your bowels healthy. It can also help lower your cholesterol.
– Protein – Raw chocolate is a good source of protein, but it doesn’t contain as much as other snacks like nuts and seeds.
– Minerals – Raw chocolate is rich in minerals like iron, magnesium, and zinc, which are essential for a healthy metabolism.
– Vitamins – Raw chocolate is abundant in vitamins B2, B3, B5, and B6, which help you stay healthy, support your digestive system, and regulate your mood.
Conclusion
Raw chocolate is a super food that will give you plenty of energy and improve your health. It is packed with antioxidants, iron, and other minerals that are essential for health. While regular chocolate is processed and refined, raw chocolate is made with unprocessed cacao beans that are naturally rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. This is mostly not suitable while you’re having infertility treatments or other health problems.
Raw chocolate comes in a variety of flavors such as mint, hazelnut, coconut, and vanilla. It is available as a bar and can be crumbled over desserts, blended into shakes and smoothies, or eaten as is. It is also available in the form of powder that can be combined with water and made into a drink. You can also buy raw chocolate in the form of nibs, crumbled or ground chunks of the cacao bean.