The impressive bioactive profile of cacao has amazing health benefits.
Cacao vs. Cocoa: What is the Difference?
Chocolate is made from cacao beans, which are technically considered seeds.
Full agreement does not exist on when to use the terms of Cacao vs. Cocoa. Some say products utilizing the entire cacao pod should be deemed “cacao” and the pressed powder should garner the name “cocoa.”
Others believe the raw versions should be labeled “cacao” while the roasted and more processed varieties should be called “cocoa.”
In Dr. William Li’s opinio, the terminology should not matter nearly as much as the ingredient list and flavonoid levels. So long as unnecessary additives like sugar are not added to the product, both cacao and cocoa can be extraordinarily nutrient-dense.
Health Benefits of Cacao/Cocoa
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, determined that bioactives called procyanidins in cocoa have potent antiangiogenic effects through their ability to stop the signals activating blood vessel cells, which can lead to various diseases such as cancer, skin diseases, age-related blindness, diabetic ulcers, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and more.
Cacao has also been shown to improve stem cell function. At the University of California, San Francisco, researchers explored whether a chocolate drink made with cocoa containing high levels of flavanols could influence stem cells and blood vessel health. Participants who drank the high-flavanol beverage had twice as many stem cells in their circulation compared to the people who drank the low- flavanol cocoa, showing that the more flavanols contained in the product, the more stem cell benefits it boasts.
Cacao also positively impacts the gut microbiome. A study conducted by Louisiana State University researchers found that fiber in cacao feeds healthy gut bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. These beneficial bacteria generate compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that also improve glucose and lipid metabolism.
Dark Chocolate the Healthy Option
Dark chocolate contains high amounts of cocoa solids, which deliver numerous health benefits. Dark chocolate also contains a greater percentage of cacao, less sugar, and little dairy.
As a rule of thumb, opt for dark chocolate that contains 70% or greater cacao, read the ingredient list to be sure there are no additives, and keep in mind that, typically, the darker the chocolate, the more nutrients it contains, stresses Dr. Li.
Source: https://drwilliamli.com/health-benefits-of-cacao/