Some history and healthful information on cacao...

We all know that chocolate is revered as a sensuous, luxurious, passionate and inspirational food, exciting all the senses... But did you know that the "worlds favorite food" has also been regarded as a healing supplement for centuries? Cacao beans originate from the cacao fruit tree, and are super-rich in antioxidant flavonols, providing more antioxidant capacity than red wine. The human use of cacao fruit and its seeds dates back for thousands of years, and at times, the beans were so highly regarded in the Mayan and the Aztec civilizations that they were used as currency (imagine money growing on trees!). Raw cacao is the highest dietary source of magnesium. It reduces inflammation, contains high levels of fiber and vitamins, and serves well as an appetite suppressant, antidepressant and libido enhancer. However, one must be aware of how damaging the modern-day heating and manufacturing processes are to the raw cacao bean. In present time, refined sugar and milk are generously added to many mainstream chocolate products. As a result, the antioxidant properties are canceled out (dairy milk blocks absorption of antioxidants!) and due to consuming refined sugar, minerals are drawn out of the body and blood sugar disorders are rapidly triggered. Also, when  cacao is heated to high temperatures, its healing properties, numerous mood elevation qualities and natural flavors are greatly reduced and sometimes completely diminished. 

​This is why the availability of the unadulterated, raw, Ecuadorian heirloom cacao, infused in La La Land Organics Raw Chocolate, is so exciting and valuable!

(Source: "Naked Chocolate", book by David Wolfe and Shazzie)

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