Las Vegas

CHOCOLATE FOR A HEALTHY HEART

February 17, 2021

by Michele Ciancimino

You read that correctly…if you haven’t heard the good news, some types of chocolate can be a part of a heart-healthy diet.

You’re welcome! Lol

Raw cacao is the main ingredient used to make dark chocolate and it’s full of heart-healthy magnesium, antioxidants, and plant-based polyphenols. Raw cacao is different from the cocoa powder you typically see in the stores. Cocoa powder is chemically processed and roasted which destroys a lot of the antioxidants and nutritious plant compounds. In fact, this “Dutch processing” or “processed with alkali” can destroy 60 to 90% of the nutrients! There’s more! Non-organic cocoa and chocolate are also treated with toxic pesticides and may contain GMO (genetically modified) ingredients.

RAW CACAO HAS SO MANY HEALTH BENEFITS WHEN UNPROCESSED:

• 40 times more antioxidants than blueberries
• Has the highest iron content of any plant food
• More calcium than milk
• Elevates the mood with happy brain chemicals like serotonin

TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CHOCOLATE, FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES:

• Always buy dark chocolate (not milk chocolate)
• Buy chocolate that is organic
• Make sure the percentage of cacao is 65% or higher
• Low in sugar and other added ingredients

Try raw cacao powder for this delicious and healthy breakfast or snack recipe to support a healthy heart:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Ingredients

½ cup rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 Tbsp peanut butter or almond butter

½ mashed banana

1 Tbsp raw cacao powder

1 tsp honey

Mix all ingredients in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator overnight.

Michele

michele@GoodnessGirl.com
https://goodnessgirl.com