Perhaps you have heard or read somewhere that eating dark chocolate that’s at least 70% cocoa is beneficial for the heart, brain and skin. That’s because this decadent goodie is packed with powerful antioxidants as well as the minerals zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, phosphorous and selenium.
Cocoa is the one responsible for making dark chocolate a tasty and health treat. However, raw cacao nibs are regarded as way better than cocoa. Cocoa is what you call cacao beans after they have gone through some processing for chocolate manufacturing. On the other hand, raw cacao nibs are cocoa beans removed from their husks and broken down into smaller pieces. Basically, they are dark chocolates in their purest forms.
Eating dark chocolate in moderation is healthy, but consuming raw cocoa nibs is several times better. Continue reading to know some of the wonderful benefits these bitter and nutty-flavored bits of superfoods can bring.
They Cause Your Blood to Thin
Blood that’s too thick can cause a sluggish circulation, and this puts you at higher risk of blood clots which can cause pulmonary embolism, heart attack and stroke. According to medical experts, eating raw cacao nibs is just as good as popping an aspirin, a well-known blood thinner, in your mouth.
You May Enjoy Lower Blood Pressure Because of Them
Eating raw cacao nibs helps maintain an ideal blood pressure because they have a relaxing effect on the walls of your blood vessels. Also, antioxidants in these delectable goodies prevent the oxidation of fat molecules in the gut, thus keeping them from ending up inside the arteries.
Raw Cacao Nibs Contain Healthy Fats
Some fats are bad and some fats are actually good for you, just like the healthy ones found in raw cacao nibs. Good fats help raise the levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or good cholesterol, which in turn lowers LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol that clogs arteries, increases the blood pressure and puts you at risk of heart disease.
They Make You Feel Happier
Feeling glum? Reach for a handful of raw cacao nibs and start munching on them. Experts say they are natural sources of anandamine, a neurotransmitter known to give you a pleasurable mental state. Snack on some raw cacao nibs while watching your favorite TV sitcom and you are sure to feel better.
Consuming Them Makes You Stay Looking Young
There are a couple of antioxidants in raw cacao nibs: anthocyanins and catechins. Both of them are known to help safeguard the skin cells from oxidation, thus helping to ward off various aging signs such as roughness, fine lines and wrinkles. Eating raw cacao nibs is certainly more pocket-friendly than those pricey anti-aging products.
Having Raw Cacao Nibs Helps You Slim Down
There are a handful of reasons why you may shed off excess pounds more effectively when you munch on raw cacao nibs in moderation. First, they help speed up the metabolism because of the small amount of caffeine in them. Second, these superfoods are known to have superb appetite-suppressing properties.
Eating Them Boosts Your Sex Drive
Consuming raw cacao nibs is highly beneficial if you seem to be missing a lot of bedroom action. That’s because these tiny treats contain phenethylamine or PEA, a compound that helps stimulate your sexual desire. Unlike other libido-boosting supplements, raw cacao nibs do not contain dangerous man-made chemicals.
Raw Cacao Nibs Stabilize Mood Swings
Is PMS giving you terrible mood swings? It’s due to the hormonal imbalance going on within your body. Certainly, stabilizing those hormones can keep your mood from going back and forth and wreaking havoc to your relationships. Raw cacao nibs have mood-stabilizing compounds in it, so eating some of them can be beneficial during a bout of PMS.
They Promote a Healthier Digestive System
Because they come from plants, raw cacao nibs are also excellent sources of fiber. It’s no secret that fiber helps ward off constipation because it promotes regular emptying of the bowels. What’s more, fiber helps in the multiplication of good bacteria in the gut, digestion of food and prevention of colon cancer.
Eating Them May Save You from Skin Cancer
Getting too much sun puts you at high risk of ending up with skin cancer. A great way to limit your exposure to those harmful UV rays is by applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. You may also nibble on raw cacao nibs to protect your skin from the negative impact of those skin cancer-causing UV rays.
