subject: Raw Chocolate Is Good For You [print this page] Did you know that chocolate comes from a fruit tree, and that it is actually good for you? As a matter of fact, it is so good for you, that you could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and supper.
But I'm not talking about the chocolate you can buy at the candy store, or even at the grocery store. I'm talking about the cold-processed chocolate bars which have not been exposed to heat, or even better, the chocolate which is still in its unprocessed state, just like it comes off of the tree.
The trees are grown in places like Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Venezuella and Africa. During harvesting the fruit is cut open and the seeds, which are known as cacao beans are removed from the fruit. The cacao beans are then sun dried before being sold or processed into chocolate.
What is in Chocolate
These cacao beans are very nutritious; as a matter of fact, they are the best source of magnesium, they are high in iron, manganese, zinc and copper. They are also rich in antioxidants which help to rid the body of free radicals which are the number one cause of all diseases.
They contain serotonin and melatonin which help the body to relax; to sleep better, relieve stress, lift the mood and over all make one feel happy and at ease.
Raw chocolate is loaded with so many vitamins and minerals that when eaten, naturally decreases other food cravings, and increases energy levels. Therefore it is a miracle food when it comes to losing weight; instead of eating more calories, the body now has more energy to burn more calories.
You can buy raw cacao beans whole, in nibs, or ground up into a powder in most health food stores, or online.
