24/04/2021
Health Benefits of Cacao Powder
Originally domesticated in South America about 5,000 years ago, cacao trees can now be found in equatorial regions around the world. The beans from these trees are harvested to make both cocoa powder and its lesser-known counterpart, cacao powder.
Cacao beans develop flavor and texture through a fermentation process before heading for processing into either cacao or cocoa powder. To create cocoa powder, processors apply very high temperatures to the cacao beans, which produces that smooth, sweet taste that people enjoy in baked goods or hot cocoa. Cocoa powder is less bitter than cacao, but it loses some of its nutritional value during processing.
Cacao beans destined to become cacao powder and cacao nibs aren’t roasted at these high temperatures. Instead, they’re processed at low temperatures and then milled into a powder. Cacao powder is quite bitter, but retains more of the bean’s original nutritional value.
Cacao powder can be a healthier alternative for recipes that call for cocoa powder.
Health Benefits of Cacao Powder
The fiber in cacao powder promotes healthy digestion and can reduce the risk and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive problems.
•Here are some other health benefits of cacao powder:
✓Lower Blood Pressure
Cacao powder is packed with flavonoids. These nutrients that have been shown to help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to the brain and heart, and aid in preventing blood clots.
✓Reduced Diabetes Risk
The flavonoids in cacao powder may help increase insulin sensitivity, reducing your risk of diabetes.
✓Reduced Heart Disease Risk
Cacao powder contains lots of potassium. Potassium has been shown to decrease risk of heart disease by reducing lower body inflammation and stress on cells.
✓Reduced Inflammation
The flavonoids in cacao powder can help to reduce inflammation throughout your body. Reduced inflammation may lessen your risk of some cancers, diabetes, arthritis, depression, a
