Chocolate & Cacao

[Guest guest]

Here's a good article from Paul Nison

 

Cacao: Not As Good As You’ve Been Lead To Believe.

 

The latest and greatest "so-called" super food being promoted in the raw food world is raw chocolate, also known as cacao. I myself was excited when I first heard about it. But after trying it, I didn’t feel that great. I asked others how they felt after consuming cacao and there were no complaints. That was then. After a few months, I started to get more and more complaints from people who were taking cacao. It didn’t surprise me because chocolate in general is not good for us. Other than the enzyme issue, why would raw cacao be so healthy for us?

 

That is when I decided to do research and I found some scary facts. What’s even scarier is that people are so addicted to it, that even after learning of the high possibility of harmful effects, they keep consuming it. What concerns me the most is the amount people are eating. If someone took a pinch, let’s say once a week, then maybe they wouldn’t have to worry. When I see people being lead to believe that there are many health benefits to consuming tablespoons every day; that is just crazy!

 

If you are eating a raw food diet because you want to find a natural toxin that will make you feel high, then you have found a good product. Beware, because there are many downsides to it. If you are eating a raw diet for health benefits, consuming chocolate in any form should be off your list and out of your mind.

 

In one of the best overall raw guides ever written "Diet by Design: Fruits, Nuts and Natural Foods" (available at www.rawlife.com) it says the following about cacao:

 

Chocolate and cacao are outright health hazards due to the chemicals, contaminants, and additives they contain. The chemicals within chocolate are called methylxanthines. They can be further classified as theobromine, caffeine, and theophylline, all of which have deleterious effects on the body. Theobromine is known to cause a host of symptoms including abnormal glandular growth, nervousness, depression, anxiety, insomnia, gastrointestinal problems, and itching. Caffeine is highly suspected of being a carcinogen, and is directly linked to heart and circulatory problems, glandular difficulties, nervous disorders, osteoporosis, birthing abnormalities, and so forth. Theophylline causes stomach problems, nausea, vomiting, and nervous disorders.

 

The processing of cacao beans into powder and chocolate is an unsanitary, risky procedure to say the least. To be blunt-chocolate and cacao are laced with animal feces and hair, insects, and molds. The carcinogenic mold called aflatoxin has been found in large quantities on cacao beans.

 

Allowable limits have been set by the FDA regarding rodent feces and insect parts in chocolate and cocoa! As quoted from Poison With a Capital C, "…every time you eat a chocolate bar, it may contain a rodent hair and 16 insect parts and still carry the blessing of the FDA.", and "For chocolate powder or cakes there must not be more than 75 insect fragments in three tablespoons of powder.", and "Four percent of cacao beans may be infested by insects. Animal excreta (such as visible rat droppings) must not exceed 10 milligrams per pound".

 

Now, after learning this information, people will still continue to indulge, making excuses to keep eating it. Please note I have no reason to write this information, other than to make you aware of the truth. In fact, I would make a lot of money if I sold raw chocolate and products that contain it. But I just can’t do that, knowing the truth.

 

I give lectures all over the world, mostly in the United Stated. I have already giving over 100 lectures this year alone. Just about every lecture I give, I have someone come up to me telling me that they experienced one or more of the symptoms above after consuming cacao. Now if you are eating cacao and have not had symptoms, that doesn’t mean it’s okay for you. It’s just a matter of time, so why not stop now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.healthylivingstrategies.net

 

 

[Guest guest]

I suspect that Paul's article was in back lash to David Wolf's heavy

marketing of cacao as being the most amazing food on the planet.

 

I would say that both have some points worth considering. I am one

of the owners of Natural Zing and we have been selling cacao for a

couple of years now. Our cacao is tested thoroughly for

micotoxins. It is true that cacao is susceptible to growing

micotoxins if it is not grown and harvested carefully. This is the

reason why we test ours. Our cacao is very clean. We continue to

work with the same farmers because they produce a high quality

product. Over the years we have had other suppliers try to get us

to sell their cacao and I would not even taste some of it because I

could tell something wasn't right. We had it tested and it was full

of micotoxins. Do be careful what you buy.

 

Also, cacao isn't for everyone. Some people are sensitive to

chocolate, even if it is a high quality organic raw chocolate.

 

That being said, cacao is very high in antioxidants and contains a

wide array of unique properties and minerals, including high levels

of sulfur and magnesium. Numerous in vitro studies have shown that

the powerful antioxidants in dark chocolate (high in cacao) can

protect cell membranes and cellular DNA from the damaging effects of

free radical induced oxidative damage. The results of several

epidemiologic studies indicate that regular consumption of foods

rich in antioxidant is associated with reduced risk of developing

cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

 

Why to people desire chocolate? Easy, phenylethylamine (PEA) is the

chemical found in the brain of happy people. Fall in love, and your

PEA level shoots up. You become peppy and full of optimism. If

things go wrong in your life, especially your love life, your PEA

level drops and you become listless and tired. Raw Chocolate is

loaded with PEA.

 

I would not recommend eating a diet of 70% cacao, as David Wolf

professes to do, but Paul's reaction is far too extreme in

denouncing cacao. One last thing, Paul would not get rich selling

cacao. It is certainly not lucrative. I am however rich in spirit

and health.

 

Blessings and rich health to all.

Helen

[Guest guest]

Thanks Helen! What a thoughtful response. Very well stated. I needed to read

such a

balanced explanation to feel right about the cacao issue. All things have their

good and

bad sides. Even raw greens, one of the best foods on the planet, can come from

not such

good sources which could compromise their integrity. It is always a good idea

to look at

the sources and stay aware of quality.

 

My hope is that we all continue to support the growers who care about offering

quality

products.

 

love is infinite > a quality life is here for us all

 

Michael

 

 

 

 

 

, " littleveggiemom " <helenkrose wrote:

>

> I suspect that Paul's article was in back lash to David Wolf's heavy

> marketing of cacao as being the most amazing food on the planet.

>