Cacao - An ancient medicine validated by modern science

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Cacao - An ancient medicine validated by modern science

_http://www.naturalnews.com/030603_cacao_medicine.html_

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by Carolanne , citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) Legendary cacao has a long history of medicinal use

throughout Mesoamerica and South America. Today, science confirms chocolate has

many favorable qualities that support health and psychological well-being.

This magical bean offers great benefits when the cacao is high-quality, raw

and organic.

The native people of the Americas extolled the merits of cacao with oral

histories, pottery, stonework, and colored documents that chronicled its use

in rituals as well as in everyday life. The Mayan and Mexica religions

believed cacao had divine origins. According to Mayan legend, after humans

were created by the goddess Xmucane, the God Sovereign Plumed Serpent gave

cacao to the Maya.

When Europeans began exploring the New World, Columbus and his crew were

the first to encounter cacao when they seized a canoe at Guanaja that was

filled with strange 'almonds'. Eventually it was discovered the 'almonds'

were actually cacao beans used as a source of currency in Mesoamerica.

Chocolate is not only a food, but also a medicine. Preparations are well

documented by the explorers who came in contact with cacao during their

travels. Cacao medicinal properties were noted to alleviate fever, anemia, poor

appetite, metal fatigue and poor breast milk production, as well as

tuberculosis, gout, kidney stones and low virility. This delicious bean was

famous for healing the nervous system and improving digestion and elimination.

Jump to the modern day and numerous studies celebrate the many virtues of

chocolate. Research confirms that chocolate helps to relieve emotional

stress. Stress hormones and stress-related biochemical agents were reduced when

volunteers, who rated themselves as highly stressed, consumed 1.4 ounces

of dark chocolate per day for a period of two weeks.

Another study found that cacao flavanols (CF) improve cognitive function.

In a randomized, double-blind trial, 30 healthy adults consumed either 520

mg or 994 mg of a CF infused beverage. Both groups showed significant

improvement in mental acuity, while a reduction in 'mental fatigue' was only

found with the lower consumption of 520 mg. The researchers suspect the

results may be related to the effects of CF on blood flow.

Cacao mass also contains potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, and

magnesium which contribute to cardiovascular health. Chocolate has the

ability to trigger the release of dopamine and the endorphin phenylethylamine,

both of which soothe the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and depression.

Due to its high valeric acid content, cacao has stress relieving properties

despite the presence of the stimulants theobromine and caffeine.

Yet not all chocolate is created equal. Organic, raw cacao reigns supreme

with maximum nutrient content compared to other forms. Since raw chocolate

is processed at low temperatures, it retains much more of its famed

nutritional value than if it were roasted. As seen in Wolfe's, " Naked

Chocolate: The Astounding Truth About the World's Greatest Food " , raw chocolate

has many high-quality nutrients such as manganese, vitamin C, and omega 6

fatty acids. Raw cacao also contains powerful antioxidants along with a

significant amount of chromium, which balances blood sugar levels. Additional

benefits are found in neurotransmitter modulating agents that act as natural

antidepressants. " They allow our neurotransmitters like serotonin to remain

in our bloodstream longer that usual. This makes us younger, " explains

Wolfe. He believes that raw cacao is an excellent way to enhance health while

calming the heart, amplifying sensuality and enriching one's love life.

Live your bliss and savor the wisdom of the ancients. Invigorate modern

vitality with the many extraordinary traits of raw cacao.

Sources for this article:

L. Dillinger, Barriga, Sylvia Escarcega, Martha Jimenez,

Salazar Lowe, Louis E. Grivetti, " Food of the Gods: Cure for Humanity?

A Cultural History of the Medicinal and Ritual Use of Chocolate " , The

Journal of Nutrition. Retrived on November 28, 2010, from

_http://jn.nutrition.org/content/130/8/2057S.full.pdf_

(http://jn.nutrition.org/content/130/8/2057S.full.pdf)

Francois-Pierre J. , Serge Ressi, Emma Per-Trepat, Beate Kamlage,

Sebastiano Collino, Edgar Leibold, Jurgen Kastler, Dietrich Rein, t B.

Fay, Sunil Kochhar, " Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on

Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living

Subjects " , Journal of Proteome Research, October 7, 2009, 8 (12), pp 5568-5579

B Scholey, J French, Penelope J , O Kennedy,

Athea L Milne, Crystal F Haskell, " Consumption of coca flavanols results in

acute improvements in mood and cognitive performance during sustained mental

effort " . Journal of Psychopharmacology, October 2010, 24 (10)

pp 1505-1514

Pamela Moyers , MPAS, PA-C, " Is chocolate really good for me? " JAAPA,

January 2007, 20 (1) pp 55-56

Marisa Belger, " The raw, tasty truth about natural chocolate. Skip the

average bar and reach for nutrient-packed cacao treats instead " . Today

GreenDAY, August 2009. Retrieved on November 30, 2010, from

_http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32271092/ns/today-green/_

(http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32271092/ns/today-green/)

Gianni, " Nutritional Authority Wolfe Discusses Metabolism and

Chocolate " , Natural News, August 22, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2010,

from

_http://www.naturalnews.com/023939_food_chocolate_cacao.html_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/023939_food_chocolate_cacao.html)

About the author

Carolanne enthusiastically believes if we want to see change in the world,

we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, natural foods chef, and

wellness coach, Carolanne has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle

of organic living, gratefulness, and joyful orientation for over 13 years.

Through her website _www.Thrive-Living.com_ (http://www.Thrive-Living.com)

she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded people from around

the world who share a similar vision.