Why Eat Raw Organic Cacao Powder? Known Benefits, Side-Effects, and Best Brands to Buy

How often do you examine what you’re about to eat or drink to determine the origin? This article will be about the best raw organic cacao powder and how it is derived from the same fruit that’s used to make chocolate. It is also possible to eat raw organic cacao nips on a daily basis to get the most from the antioxidants present in cacao bean.

Just like any other food item we consume, eating raw cacao or drinking chocolate comes with some benefits and potential side-effects. Towards the end of this article, we bring you a review of some of the healthiest and most valuable raw cacao brands one can buy online. So let’s begin by explaining what a cacao bean is.

What exactly is Cacao?

First of all, you should know that the word cacao can be used to describe the multiple food products that can be produced from the cacao beans, which is a by-product of the cacao tree. At present, this cacao bean can be turned into butter, paste, nibs, and powder.

If you want to experience what real chocolate taste like before it is processed in the laboratory eat some raw cacao nibs. It is bitter and probably the purest form of natural chocolate one can consume with multiple health benefits.

The cacao bean contains the highest concentration of antioxidants and magnesium among all food groups. If you looked back at several ancient civilizations, it is obvious that the cacao beans was used as a commodity for means of exchange before the creation of paper currency.

This natural growing plant with body nurturing essential nutrients is often called Theobroma cacao, Cocoa tree, or Cacao tree. This small evergreen plant is native to South America and Mexico. It is only after the beans are roasted will you get cocoa, which is the first step in the making of chocolate in all its splendid forms.

The beans from the same tree will be classified as raw organic cacao beans when they are dried at low temperature. It can either be sun dried or with modern drying mechanisms. While you can eat the whole bean itself like a fruit it is usually broken into smaller pieces called cacao Nibs.

The majority of the dried Theobroma cacao beans are ground up to create raw cocoa powder. Researchers are now realizing that the low dried raw organic cacao powder offers the most health benefits due to the fact that the antioxidant compounds are present with all their natural properties.

What is the Difference between Cocoa and Cacao Powder?

Both are derived from the same plant, and the differences can be traced to the processing methods used to turn the beans into powder form. Raw cacao powder is derived when the unroasted cocoa beans are processed using cold-pressing methods.

It is also called the scarification method, which is a way to process the beans with the living enzymes remaining unchanged while the fat is removed. The fat removed during this process is the key ingredient in making cacao butter.

Is cacao the same as cocoa powder? No, because cocoa powder is derived when the beans are processed at very high temperature. Roasting the beans at high temperature will eliminate some of the healthy nutrients present in the natural fruit.

Sorry to say, but your chocolate powder contains less of all the healthy antioxidants because properties were changed during the high-temperature processing. You might get more nutritional value if you use plain cocoa powder as compared to the ones mixed with different type of sweeteners or sugar.

To further confuse the health conscious community, cocoa powder can now be found with different processing methods used. In simple terms, if your cocoa powder has a bitter taste, it means most of the antioxidants and natural nutrients are still present. The sweeter your cocoa powder the less natural nutrients it contains.

What are the Health Benefits of Cacao?

Before we get to the most obvious raw cacao benefits, you should know that your state of mind plays an integral part in how the food ingredient will function inside of your body. The many health benefits of cacao might not be manifested if you engage in unhealthy lifestyle choices.

It is like going to the gym on a daily basis yet you smoke and drink alcohol on a daily basis. The benefits you’ll get from working out will be diminished due to your unhealthy habits. Same principles apply here, especially if you’re looking to manifest all the cacao health benefits attributed to the bean fruit.

You’ll get the most benefit from eating cacao Nibs or raw cacao powder. The flavonoids found in the cacao beans promotes vitality and contains nutrients that are beneficial to the healthy growth of the human body.

Recent studies have shown that the antioxidants present in cacao beans deliver better health benefits as compared to those found in green tea, black tea, or processed cocoa powder.

The antioxidants will not only help stabilize the tissues and cells of your body, they can also destroy the ravaging free radicals before they can do any permanent damage.

The antioxidants found in this natural bean fruit will fight inflammation properties, which guarantees your body will not be susceptible to other diseases.

Other Attributed Benefits to Eat Raw Organic Cacao

Scientists are discovering that regular consumption can help keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.

The flavonoids present in this food ingredient can help lower your chances of getting a stroke.

The properties are good for your heart, which means cardiovascular diseases will be running away from you.

Organic Cacao Powder Side Effects

Despite the presence of good minerals like calcium, manganese, potassium, iron and magnesium in this food ingredient, no one can deny that raw organic powder has potential side effects. Is cocoa good for you? Definitely yes! Does cocoa have caffeine? Also yes!

Most of the side effects attributed to cacao beans can be traced to the presence of caffeine. If you have prior bad side effects from consuming food product with caffeine, eating even the rawest and healthiest organic cacao might resurrect them.

In some people, too much cacao consumption might trigger skin rashes or other allergic skin reactions. The presence of caffeine in this food ingredient might also induce accelerated heart rate, increased need to urinate or bowl movement, and the lack of sleep.

You should not fear the organic cacao powder side effects especially if you do not have any allergic reaction to caffeine of any kind. Do keep in mind that with any food product, eating too much can exacerbate potential side effects, thus making them manifest faster.

Ways to Add Raw Chocolate into Your Daily Diet

It is quite hard to determine the best way to incorporate raw chocolate into everyday dieting. If you do not mind the bitter taste, you might find cacao Nibs enjoyable once you get used to the flavor. On the other hand, if you like to enjoy your daily smoothie, a scoop or two of raw cacao powder can deliver the same nutritional benefits.

Ways you can add cacao Nibs or powder is only limited by your imagination. There are no established protocols for how to eat this food ingredient, and you’re welcome to try different recipes to suit your personal taste.

In a nutshell, raw cacao powder or Nibs can be used the following ways:

It is quite possible to add nibs of the cacao beans or whole beans to your granola mixes.

If you have a strong and sharp blender, you can add them to your smoothies, which means you have hundreds of recipes at your fingertips.

It is also possible to add the cacao powder to your favorite cookies recipe, frozen yogurt, nut milk, muffins, and other food creations you might think about.

Best Raw Cacao Powder Brand

We took the time to analyze some of the top selling raw organic cacao powders online, and the following brands deliver phenomenal value for the asking price. Clicking the images provided will take you to the product page where you can find other brands with equally high-performance metrics.

1 – Healthworks Raw Certified Organic Cacao Powder

This is one of the few companies to go all in as far as making raw organic food products. This best cacao powder from Healthworks is certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture and can even be used on your fruit assembly or in any type of desert.

Your raw cacao powder recipes will not be complete without the addition of this food ingredient from a reputable company. This cacao powder is sugar-free and contains beneficial compounds like copper, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.

Healthworks raw certified organic cacao powder has a slightly bitter taste to it, which means most of the natural minerals and antioxidants are still present to offer a growing body good nutrients for a healthier life.

The cacao beans used in making this powder are hand harvested and sourced from small family farms. Cold pressing manufacturing technique is applied before the cacao beans are grounded into very fine powder. Your purchase entitles you to a 30-day replacement or full refund guarantee with no questions asked.

2 – Viva Labs Certified Organic Cacao Powder

This organic cacao powder by Viva Labs is said to be the best tasting with all the natural antioxidants and minerals still intact. This cacao powder is the ideal product to use for those wanting to experience a bold chocolate flavor.

This cacao powder is unprocessed, which means it contains no sugar or other chemical additives. To preserve the essential nutrients, the beans used to make this product is produced using very low temperatures.

Viva Labs cacao powder is loaded with powerful compounds that can offer humans the ability to fight off free radicals before they can do any major damage.

This raw cacao powder is gluten free and vegan, with non-GMO certification. The product is further certified organic by the Quality Assurance International (QAI). Viva Labs organic cacao powder is a good source of magnesium, protein, fiber and fatty acids.

3 – Navitas Naturals Organic Cacao Powder

Navitas cacao powder is not only raw and gluten-free, it is also certified vegan, kosher, and contains no genetically modified organisms. Consuming this product will supply your body with the right iron, fiber, magnesium, and antioxidants.

If you wish to add natural chocolate to your food creations this cacao powder will not disappoint. This food product contains caffeine and other stimulants, which means it will supply you with ample energy, just as long as your indulgence is within reason.

Navitas Naturals Organic Cacao Powder is 100% certified organic and the ingredients used are grown in Peru, and fully packed in the United States of America.

4 – Terrasoul Superfoods Raw Cacao Powder

Another raw cacao powder with high-performance metrics is made by a company called Terrasoul. The fine texture of this product gives it a rich flavor that is better than what you can get from even the best Dutch cocoa powder.

According to the manufacturer, the beans used are grown in the fertile soil of a certain section of the Dominican Republic. You can add this cacao powder to your smoothies or baked goods, and it is one of the best products to use if you want to experience what real chocolate taste like.

Terrasoul Superfoods raw cacao powder is made by a small family run company and your purchase entitles you to a 30-day money back guarantee with no questions asked

5 – Pure Natural Miracles Raw Organic Cacao Powder

This is probably the most appropriate name for a cacao powder and it contains ample supply of the right amount of antioxidants to help keep free radicals from causing major damage to your internal organs.

It is made using cacao beans grown in Ecuador and can be added to just about any meal recipe you might be trying to create.

This product is 100% raw, very pure and unroasted, which guarantees that the natural vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals are retained for the most benefits to your health.

It has a bitter dark chocolate flavor, which makes it healthier since no trans-fat is present. If you would like to experience what real raw organic chocolate taste like, this cacao powder from Pure Natural Miracles can make that happen.

Best Cacao Nibs Brand

Cacao nibs delivers all the health benefits present in the beans from the cacao plant. Cacao nibs are derived when the cacao beans are broken into smaller pieces. Below are the three best cacao nibs brands one can buy online with good value for the money.

Healthworks USDA Certified Organic Raw Cacao Nibs

Viva Labs Organic Raw Cacao Nibs

Pure Natural Miracles Raw Organic Cacao Nibs