Cocoa beans...the best superfood on earth?

[joboo]

So I picked up some raw organic cocoa beans today after doing some reading on how extraordinary they are in a lot of key areas, primarily being nutritious, the most potent antioxidant of all foods, excellent at reducing stress, and promoting an overall sense of well being.

For point of reference wild blueberries contain 61 antioxidants, cocoa beans contain an unbelievable 621.

"By weight, Cacao beans have more antioxidants than red wine, blueberries, acai, pomegranates, and goji berries COMBINED."

Discovered a really quick, and tasty recipe.

Drop them in one of those coffee bean blade grinders i.e.


http://www.coffeeshop.us/blade-grinder-560.jpg


Blaze them up to a powder (approx 15-20 seconds), drop in a glass, add a few tbsp of chocolate almond milk, mix into a paste, then fill the glass with more choc almond milk, stir. Mixes up super easy, no clumping like cocoa powder. Very tasty, not bitter.

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Nutritional profile:

Magnesium: Cacao beans seem to be the #1 source of magnesium of any food. Magnesium is one of the great alkaline minerals. It helps to support the heart, brain, and digestive system (it fights constipation). Magnesium is also important for building strong bones. Magnesium balances brain chemistry and has a strong influence on feelings of ease and happiness. This is likely the primary reason women crave chocolate (http://www.good-healthy-chocolate.com/) during the monthly cycle. Magnesium is the most deficient major mineral on the Standard American Diet (SAD); over 80% of Americans are chronically deficient in Magnesium! Cacao has enough magnesium to help reverse deficiencies of this mineral.



Iron: Cacao beans contain 314% of the U.S. RDA of iron per 1 ounce (28 gram) serving. Iron is a critical mineral in nutrition. Iron is part of the oxygen carrying protein called hemoglobin that keeps our blood healthy.

Chromium: Chromium is an important trace mineral that helps balance blood sugar. Nearly 80% of Americans are deficient in this trace mineral. Chromium plays a significant role in detoxifying the liver from alcohols which build up during the fermentation process of sugars and starches when we overeat or make bad food choices. It has a major influence on blood cleanse.



Anandamide: Anandamide (The Bliss Chemical) is an endorphin that the human body naturally produces after exercise. Anandamide has so far only been found in one plant — Cacao. Anandamide is known as “The Bliss Chemical” because it is released while we are feeling great. Cacao beans contain enzyme inhibitors that decrease our bodies’ ability to breakdown anandamide. This means that, when we eat cacao beans, natural anandamide and/or cacao anandamide may stick around longer, making us feel good longer.



Theobromine: Cacao beans usually contain about 1% theobromine. Theobromine is an effective anti-bacterial substance and kills streptococci mutans (the primary organism that causes cavities). Theobromine is a chemical relative of caffeine but is not a nervous system stimulant. Theobromine dilates the cardiovascular system making the heart’s job easier. This is one of the major reasons why cacao is an important part of a heart healthy diet.

Antioxidants: Cacao contains the highest concentration of antioxidants of any food in the world. These antioxidants (http://www.dark-chocolate-antioxidant.com/) include polyphenols, catechins, and epicatechins. By weight, Cacao beans have more antioxidants than red wine, blueberries, acai, pomegranates, and goji berries COMBINED.

Cacao Beans Also Contain the Following Important Unique Nutrients:

Manganese: Manganese helps assist iron in the oxygenation of the blood and formation of hemoglobin. Interestingly, manganese is also concentrated in tears.

Zinc: Zinc plays a critical role in the immune system, liver, pancreas, and skin. Additionally, zinc is involved in thousands of enzymatic reactions throughout the human body.

Vitamin C: Cacao beans must be raw to contain vitamin C. All cooked and processed chocolate has no vitamin C. A one ounce (28 gram) serving of Cacao Beans supplies 21% of the U.S. RDA of Vitamin C. However, Cacao beans go really good with fruits and greens that are high in Vitamin C and should be consumed together, there are yummy smoothies in our chocolate diet (http://www.dark-chocolate-diet.com/) site.

Omega 6 Fatty Acids: Cacao beans contain essential omega 6 fatty acids when it is RAW.

Phenethylamine (PEA): Phenylethylamine (PEA) is found in abundance in cacao beans. Because PEA is heat sensitive, much of the PEA in conventional cooked and processed chocolate is missing. PEA is the chemical that we produce in our bodies when we fall in love. This is likely one of the main reasons why love and chocolate have such a deep connection. PEA also plays a role in increasing focus and alertness.

Tryptophan: Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is transformed into important stress-protective neurotransmitters including serotonin and melatonin. Tryptophan is heat sensitive and therefore it is “cooked out” in many high protein foods and in conventional processed chocolate.

Serotonin: Serotonin is the primary neurotransmitter in the human body. Serotonin is similar in its chemistry to tryptophan and melatonin. Serotonin helps us build up our “stress defense shield.”

O0

[gunDriller]

can chickens eat chocolate healthily - or is it bad for them the way it's bad for dogs ?

actually i was also wondering what would happen if i gave my chickens beer. would they burp ? anybody every tried it ?


those cocoa beans look like coffee beans.

[Golden]

can chickens eat chocolate healthily - or is it bad for them the way it's bad for dogs ?

actually i was also wondering what would happen if i gave my chickens beer. would they burp ? anybody every tried it ?


those cocoa beans look like coffee beans.

Those are coffee beans, the pic was for example ie.

[Spectrism]

So where did you get the cocoa beans?

I wonder if they can be grown in New England.

I just bought a 25 lb bag of green coffee beans. They will keep long term better and you can roast them easily when you want to use them.
http://www.greencoffees.com/

[Bigjon]

My favorite coffee bean store is this one:
http://www.sweetmarias.com/

And my favorite coffee is Costa Rican Tarrazu:
http://www.sweetmarias.com/coffee.central.costarica.php?source=side


But because these people are locals, i quite often buy green beans here:
http://ourcoffeebarn.com/

For cacao beans I have used
http://www.nutsonline.com/nuts/cacao/organic-beans.html

http://www.ehow.com/about_5398517_cocoa-powder-vs-cacao-powder.html
Similarity between the terms "cacao" and "cocoa" often creates confusion. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines cacao as "the bean which is the source..." of chocolate products such as cocoa powder, chocolate liquor or cocoa butter, depending on how the cacao bean is processed. Thus, the cacao bean is the source of both cacao and cocoa powders, and though the terms often are used interchangeably, subtle differences exist between the two.
History

The Mayan empire began cultivating and harvesting cacao more than 2000 years ago, and the Aztecs used whole raw cacao beans as their main form of currency.

The Mayans used the beans to create a spicy drink enjoyed by royalty and consumed during religious ceremonies. Without access to sweetening spices, cacao was consumed as a strong, bitter beverage. After the Spanish conquistadors invaded Mexico, they sent back shiploads of cacao beans, where it was mixed with sugar and cinnamon to make a drink that was popular among the upper classes.

Charles Linnaeus, creator of the modern scientific naming system, named the cacao bean "theobroma," which translates to "food of the gods." Today, chocolate is one of the most popular flavors in the world.
Cacao Beans

A cacao bean consists of a brown to greenish hard shell filled with tiny pockets called nibs. These edible nibs are the flesh of the cacao beans. One bean contains between 12 percent and 60 percent fat, and zero sugar.
Cocoa Powder vs. Cacao Powder

Pure, unsweetened cocoa powder tastes very bitter and rich, which is why it is most often used in sweets and confections. To get cocoa powder from the cacao bean, the nibs are first ground into a strong paste. The fat is removed, and the remaining solids are ground up again into a fine dust: cocoa powder. Because of its drying properties, using cocoa powder in a cake often requires the use of more shortening or butter in the recipe.

According to FDA guidelines, cocoa powder and cacao powder are simply different terms for the same powder, and are nearly interchangeable; however, "cacao powder" specifically refers to raw, unsweetened powder. "Cocoa powder," on the other hand, may still have a very small amount of cocoa butter present to enhance the flavor subtly.

[joboo]

A little update to this. You want to get the cacao (pronounced ka-kow) nibs not the whole beans as the whole beans have a thin skin that has to be peeled. Save yourself the time. (maybe it's a non issue in the grinder... dunno)

The ones I got are the heirloom Ecuadorian raw organic cacao nibs from:

http://essentiallivingfoods.com/collections/cacao-chocolate/products/cacao-nibs

"Revered by ancient cultures as the food of the gods. Cacao was once traded as currency."

"These nibs come from small ecological farms, and we pay beyond fair trade prices to guarantee you pure, delicious handfuls of cacao."

Apparently the British at the time couldn't pronounce cacao, so they called it cocoa...crazy brits.

:)

[Hatha Sunahara]

I just wonder what happens to all those nutrients when the beans are precessed into chocolate powder? Surely some of them survive the processing. Here's a Wikipedia piece on the health benefits of cacao beans:




Chocolate and cocoa contain a high level of flavonoids, specifically epicatechin, which may have beneficial cardiovascular effects on health.[15][16][17][18]
Prolonged intake of flavanol-rich cocoa has been linked to cardiovascular health benefits,[15][16][17] though it should be noted that this refers to raw cocoa and to a lesser extent, dark chocolate, since flavonoids degrade during cooking and alkalizing processes.[19] Studies have found short term benefits in LDL cholesterol levels from dark chocolate consumption.[citation needed] The addition of whole milk to milk chocolate reduces the overall cocoa content per ounce while increasing saturated fat levels, possibly negating some of cocoa's heart-healthy potential benefits.[citation needed] Although one study[20] has concluded that milk impairs the absorption of polyphenolic flavonoids, e.g. (-)epicatechin, a followup[21] failed to find the effect.
Hollenberg and colleagues of Harvard Medical School studied the effects of cocoa and flavanols on Panama's Kuna Indian population, who are heavy consumers of cocoa. The researchers found that the Kuna Indians living on the islands had significantly lower rates of heart disease and cancer compared to those on the mainland who do not drink cocoa as on the islands. It is believed that the improved blood flow after consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa may help to achieve health benefits in hearts and other organs. In particular, the benefits may extend to the brain and have important implications for learning and memory.[22][23]
Foods rich in cocoa appear to reduce blood pressure but drinking green and black tea may not, according to an analysis of previously published research in the April 9, 2007 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine,[16] one of the JAMA/Archives journals.[24]
In June 2009, Mars Botanicals, a division of Mars Inc., the candymaker and food company, launched Cirku, a cocoa extract high in flavanols.[25]
A 15-year study of elderly men[26] published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006 found a 50 percent reduction in cardiovascular mortality and a 47 percent reduction in all-cause mortality for the men regularly consuming the most cocoa, compared to those consuming the least cocoa from all sources.


The one advantage of unprocessed beans may be that you don't have to combine then with a similar volume of sugar so they taste good.


Hatha

[joboo]

I just wonder what happens to all those nutrients when the beans are precessed into chocolate powder? Surely some of them survive the processing. Here's a Wikipedia piece on the health benefits of cacao beans:




The one advantage of unprocessed beans may be that you don't have to combine then with a similar volume of sugar so they taste good.


Hatha

"A 15-year study of elderly men[26] published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006 found a 50 percent reduction in cardiovascular mortality and a 47 percent reduction in all-cause mortality for the men regularly consuming the most cocoa, compared to those consuming the least cocoa from all sources"

Holy crap. No joking around on those findings.

I would imagine to process it into a super fine cocoa powder ruins a lot of the natural state, and would oxidize it quite a bit (guessing).

Apparently the "Dutch chocolate" method of processing which is the most common way people get it in chocolate (I presume) also hurts a lot of the goodness, mostly because a lot of heat is introduced to what is already powder (fine dust).

Once I read that it contains 621 antioxidants, I literally shut off the computer, and went straight out to get some.

Food of the gods.

Cacao (used to be) is money!
;D

[Hatha Sunahara]

I bought a pound of cacao beans from Amazon. I eat about 3-4 of them in a sitting. Bit I found that if you eat them with something sweet--like a chocolate chip cookie, both the cookie and the cacao beans taste better, more chocolaty. These beans are better--much better if combined with something sweet. I don't doubt that they have some badly needed nutrients. I've noticed I have more energy available when I eat them.


Hatha

[FreeEnergy]

Also try bee pollen and royal jelly, but has to be properly packaged and/or processed.

[JohnQPublic]

Here I plotted the entire USDA ORAC (measure anti-oxidant activity) database from 2007. Cocao powder rates very high.

http://acai.super-fruit.net/orac_graph.html

[MAGNES]

Here I plotted the entire USDA ORAC (measure anti-oxidant activity) database from 2007. Cocao powder rates very high.

http://acai.super-fruit.net/orac_graph.html


We have been here almost 2 years and John does not talk about
his online businesses. John, are those your products or you just
do the website ? When we first got here I was reading some articles
you wrote on FED, etc, like this one, http://gold-silver.us/what_silver_gold_buys.html
and went through your different links.

[abdulwahab]

There is no doubt that, cocoa beans are one of the best foods on our earth. I was have found many health benefits from them which includes protection of heart, enhanced cognition ability, and helps digestive system due to fibers.

For detailed benefits you can visit:
http://science4fun.info/cocoa-beans/

[Neuro]

There is no doubt that, cocoa beans are one of the best foods on our earth. I was have found many health benefits from them which includes protection of heart, enhanced cognition ability, and helps digestive system due to fibers.

For detailed benefits you can visit:
http://science4fun.info/cocoa-beans/
Are you a wahabist Abdul?

[abdulwahab]

Are you a wahabist Abdul?

No dear, My name Abdul Wahab. "Wahab" is the name of allah and "Abdul" means servant. so the meaning of my name will be "Servant of Allah".

For your infomation "Wahhabism (Arabic: الوهابية‎, al-Wahhābiya(h)) is an Islamic doctrine and religious salafi movement founded by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab." and I don't belong to them. I only believe in pure islam (Means only Holy Quran and sahih hadith).

Thank You

[End Times]

No dear, My name Abdul Wahab. "Wahab" is the name of allah and "Abdul" means servant. so the meaning of my name will be "Servant of Allah".

For your infomation "Wahhabism (Arabic: الوهابية‎, al-Wahhābiya(h)) is an Islamic doctrine and religious salafi movement founded by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab." and I don't belong to them. I only believe in pure islam (Means only Holy Quran and sahih hadith).

Thank You

This forum is Haram.

We deal with the Truth here, not perverted ideology such as that from the Pedophile Muhammad (piss be upon him).

[Jewboo]

No dear, My name Abdul Wahab. "Wahab" is the name of allah and "Abdul" means servant. so the meaning of my name will be "Servant of Allah".

For your infomation "Wahhabism (Arabic: الوهابية‎, al-Wahhābiya(h)) is an Islamic doctrine and religious salafi movement founded by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab." and I don't belong to them. I only believe in pure islam (Means only Holy Quran and sahih hadith).

Thank You

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1889/5091/products/22127_1000x.jpg?v=1492631797 http://www.leftfieldbrewery.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/SJ-Coffee-700x700.jpg




https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IfsJ4PvTfpg/Uy8x7g2fzZI/AAAAAAAAHO8/WZ9OUgMHuyQ/s1600/Chocolate+Cross.jpg

:rolleyes:

[abdulwahab]

This forum is Haram.

We deal with the Truth here, not perverted ideology such as that from the Pedophile Muhammad (piss be upon him).

So, what is truth? "which is true or in accordance with fact or reality."

Jesus brought kindness and by seeing your rude behavior without any logic, I don't think your are a follower of jesus. But, may be you are a follower of anti-christ.

Jesus said be very kind to everyone - even with your bitter enemies.

Before throughing non-sense dialogue, you should have researched while being a neutral to find truth. You find truth and truth shall free you

I know any follower of anti-christ will not digest my words. But, a true follower of jesus would appreciate my words.

Just see your behavior and mine!

May god open your hearth towards truth!!

[Jewboo]

So, what is truth? "which is true or in accordance with fact or reality."

Jesus brought kindness and by seeing your rude behavior without any logic, I don't think your are a follower of jesus. But, may be you are a follower of anti-christ.

Jesus said be very kind to everyone - even with your bitter enemies.

Before throughing non-sense dialogue, you should have researched while being a neutral to find truth. You find truth and truth shall free you

I know any follower of anti-christ will not digest my words. But, a true follower of jesus would appreciate my words.

Just see your behavior and mine!

May god open your hearth towards truth!!

http://e-vestnik.bg/imgs/world/knightstemplar.jpg

We were recently discussing End Time's lack of Christian kindness in another thread.

:D

http://www.ablisscomplete.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/jesus_love_your_enemies_poster-r095f91d77b374d53a34bdc354083c0fe_infcy_8byvr_1024 .jpg