09/15/2025
New research continues to confirm raw cacao’s potential benefits, highlighting its high antioxidant content, especially flavonoids, which support brain function, cardiovascular health, and may have anti-aging and anti-cancer properties. Consuming raw cacao may improve mood, boost energy due to compounds like theobromine, and provide essential minerals like magnesium and iron.
All chocolate comes from the seed pods the fruit of the South American cacao tree. Harvesters crack them open and take out the seeds—the cacao beans—that look a lot like large coffee beans. The beans are fermented and dried before they’re processed and how they are processed makes all the difference in their health benefits. Raw (or minimally processed) cacao beans are a SUPERFOOD that:
• Adds antioxidant effects
• Boosts your mood and cognitive performance
• Lowers blood pressure
• Protects your heart
• Regulates insulin levels. Once beans are dried and fermented, they are heated at a LOW temperature. The heat separates the fatty part of the bean from the rest.
Cocoa starts the same way, but it’s heated at HIGH temperature affecting the beans on a molecular level, changing their structure and degrading nutrient content. Dutch-processed cocoa powder uses additional processing with an alkalized chemical solution. Cocoa is cheaper than cacao and easier to find but often has added sugars, dairy products, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, or emulsifiers.
LESS processed cacao has more powerful antioxidant effects & health benefits. 100 grams of raw cacao powder has an ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) of 95,500, which represents antioxidant capacity. This drops to 62,100 for cacao nibs, and 26,000 for cocoa powder. Healthy hot chocolate recipe:
Healthy hot chocolate recipe:
*1 c almond or other milk of choice (NOT low fat or fat-free!)
*1 scoop unsweetened raw cacao powder (not cocoa powder which has been processed and lost most of its’ antioxidants)
*stevia or monkfruit to taste
*a pinch of Ceylon cinnamon
*options: vanilla or peppermint extract
1. In a small saucepan, whisk together milk and cacao powder vigorously until combined.
2. Heat over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally so milk doesn’t stick to the bottom.
3. Pour into mugs, add the sweetener (and flavor if you choose) and enjoy! ☕️
