The benefits of Cacao and Your Health

The delicious taste of chocolate has enthralled civilizations throughout the centuries, and its value was so revered that the cacao seed was used as a form of currency in the ancient Aztec world. Most people today feel pretty much the same way about chocolate and the good news — Flavanols found in cacao beans have antioxidant effects that reduce cell damage implicated in heart disease. Flavanols (more prevalent in dark chocolate) has also been linked to help lower blood pressure and improve vascular function. While eating most commercial chocolate can add fat, sugar, and calories to your diet, if you want that yummy chocolate flavor, but want something lower in sugar and fat, add a bit of organic cacao powder to your cereal, smoothie or drink.