Most people love chocolate. We love its flavor, aroma and texture. In fact, we love it so much that more than a billion people eat chocolate every day. Surprisingly, however, many of us don’t realize that at the heart of chocolate is a little bean called cacao.

Cacao comes from a tree whose origins date back thousands of years to the ancient peoples of Mesoamerica. These ancient cultures used the cacao bean as the main ingredient in a bitter, health-promoting beverage called xocoatl, that was revered for its nourishing qualities and ability to enhance energy and stamina for long periods of time. Xocoatl wasn’t just a favorite food for the ancient Mesoamericans; it also played an important role in their religions, social interactions and economies.

The Healthiest Food on Earth
What’s so special about cacao? This small bean possesses some impressive health-promoting properties that are increasingly supported by science. Most notable is its antioxidant content. Cacao contains potent compounds such as flavonols, polyphenols, procyanidins and epicatechins that exert unique properties. Cacao is also rich in several B vitamins; minerals such as copper, magnesium and zinc; amino acids; and mood-boosting chemicals like phenylethylamine (PEA) and theobromine.

This nutritional firepower translates to numerous health benefits. In fact, science now tells us that cacao and dark, healthy chocolate can support the health of most of the body’s major systems. These benefits include:

• Superior antioxidant protection

• Increased cardiovascular support

• Anti-aging effects

• Support of the brain’s mental function

• Healthy inflammatory response

• Significant energy boost

• Improved immune function

• Enhanced blood-sugar control

• Increased ability to maintain a healthy weight

• Controlled appetite and cravings

• Improved mood and emotional health

Did You Know?

• The word “chocolate” is probably derived from the Aztecan words xoco and atl, which mean “bitter water.”

• About 300-600 seeds (10 pods) are required to produce about two pounds of cocoa paste.

• Cacao contains at least 45 distinct nutrients and health-promoting compounds.

“If these observations predict the future, then we can say without blushing that they are among the most important observation in the history of medicine,” Dr. Hollenberg (from Harvard Medical University) says. “We all agree that penicillin and anesthesia are enormously important.  But epicatechin could potentially get rid of 4 of the 5 most common diseases in the western world. How important does that make epicatechin? I would say very important.”—Quote from ScienceDaily, March 2007, Cocoa Vitamin Health Benefits Could Outshine Penicillin.

Rita J. Szczotka started her own business after 20+ successful years in the financial industry. She operates an international distribution team for the world’s first healthy chocolate, MXI – Xocai. Rita has held volunteer positions with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, ChildHelp USA, and The Monarch School for homeless children and is currently Chairman of the Board for Walden Family Services. Learn more at branchesofhealthychocolate.com.