Used as a currency, medicine, and tasty treat for hundreds of years chocolate often gets a bad rap and a lot of people have no idea of the health benefits of chocolate. Why? Simple; Because the “food industry” has made chocolate (like much of everything else) a product and not a food. Did you know that the average american eats about 12lbs of chocolate a year? A better thing to chew on might be whether or not we’re eating the right kind of chocolate and the most important question, is chocolate good for you?
The right kind of chocolate can act as a mood booster, medicine, and while it may not be a currency anymore, you could probably trade it with friends for something you need.
Let’s go over the history and health benefits of chocolate, how to use it in your food to get these benefits, and chocolate dessert recipes at home.
Not all Chocolate is Created Equally
Chocolate is a superfood for one reason and one reason only, Cacao. Cacao (ka-cow) has always been used by the Aztecs and the Mayans, but made it’s way over to Europe when Columbus discovered it on one of his journeys. That’s right America, move over! Columbus may have found something more exciting! (Joking!)
The problem with a lot of today’s chocolate is that it’s been highly processed and incredibly bogged down with fats, milks, and sugars (and we’re not talking the natural kind!). Want more information about chocolate? See an info graphic here.
Come to the Dark Side! Dark Chocolate Health Benefits and Chocolate Features
Types of Chocolate
- Milk Chocolate – Cacao with milk, sugar, and unfortunately a plethora of chemicals. Yuck!
- White Chocolate – No Cacao! Just fats and sugar.
- Dark Chocolate – 50% or higher cacao content, SUPERFOOD!
So since you posed the question – is chocolate good for you – it’s only natural that we take a look at exactly why it’s good for you. In a nutshell, here are the health benefits of Cacao.
Dark Chocolate Benefits
What You’ll Find in Cacao
- High in Fiber
- Packed with Compounds like Tryptophan
- Antioxidants
The Benefits of Cacao in Moderation
- Reduces blood clotting
- Reduces chances of stroke (30%)
- Reduces chances of heart attack (12%)
- Helps fight Diabetes (study)
- Improves Vision (study)
- Want more information about chocolate? See an info graphic here.
Chocolate Dessert Recipes
Since the dark chocolate health benefits are plentiful, and we know that chocolate is good for you, we’ve curated some recipes that will blow your mind like a chocolate superfood smoothie recipe and a chocolate mousse recipe that is out of this world and contains a mystery ingredient that will blow your mind.
Raw Chocolate Superfood Smoothie
Whether you’re looking for a healthy alternative to the Wendy’s frosty or a morning snack that will send you over the moon, this recipe has it all.
Chocolate Superfood Smoothie Ingredients
- 1/4 Cups raw Cacao nibs (SUPERFOOD!)
- 1tbsp EV Coconut Oil (SUPERFOOD!)
- 2tbsp Raw Cacao Powder (SUPERFOOD!)
- 2tbsp hemp seeds
- 1tbsp Maca Powder (SUPERFOOD!)
- 1 Banana
- 1 C Dates
- Hemp Milk
Raw Organic Chocolate Mousse Recipe (Vegan!)
If you’ve been looking for delicious vegan mousse recipes, you’re in luck. We stumbled upon a yummy chocolate mousse recipe at The Rawtarian and fell in love, so here’s our adaptation!
Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse Ingredients
- 1 large chopped avocado
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 4 tablespoons raw cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons honey/agave nectar/maple syrup
- 1/8 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
Directions on Making Raw Vegan Mousse
This recipe, like the last, is incredibly simple. Simply place all of your ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Spoon into your dishes and chill for the best taste.