HEALTH BENEFITS

I took an interest in Cacao Powder because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These properties come from the bioactive compounds in the Cacao Powder. The most powerful being the natural stimulant Theobromine, and polyphenols, Epicatechins and Proanthocyanidins.

Since processing reduces bioactive compound content, I use the minimally processed Cacao Powder, instead of the more processed Cocoa Powder.

HOW I USE CACAO POWDER

As a woman with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), I use Cacao Powder to help manage my MS. When I discovered that inflammation causes MS relapses, with relapses being the worsening of current or creation of new MS symptoms, I incorporated Cacao Powder into my beneficial diet to do the following:

• Use It’s anti-inflammatory properties to help manage inflammation.
• Use It’s antioxidant properties to protect the cells of the body from oxidative stress, which is linked to disease, a major source of inflammation.

So, Cacao Powder helps manage inflammation and a major source of inflammation.

And managing inflammation, helps manage my MS.

RECIPES

I use Cacao Powder in my ARMOR PLATED COFFEE.

Feel free to check out my other recipes.

HAS CACAO POWDER HELPED ME?

Yes. I believe Cacao Powder has contributed to the anti-inflammatory nature of my beneficial diet.

I have not witnessed or identified any other benefits, but i look forward to seeing what the future brings.

CAUTION

Due to the ever possible occurrence of product contamination, I always double check my sources and check ingredient lists before trying a new item.

Allergic reactions can happen to anyone, so I do my research and keep my eyes open to any potentially dangerous reactions, especially drug interactions, when I try anything new.

Ingesting large amounts of anything can be harmful, so I always consume in moderation. Since Cacao Powder contains some caffeine, if ingested in excess it can cause issues, such as restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, rapid heart rate and high blood pressure. Cacao Powder can also cause gastric problems, high blood sugar, slow blood clotting,

-Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy

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REFERENCES

Edo, G. I., Samuel, P. O., Oloni, G. O., Ezekiel, G. O., Onoharigho, F. O., Oghenegueke, O. … Igbodo, P. C. (2023). Review on the Biological and Bioactive components of Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao). Insight on Food, Health and Nutrition. Natural Resources for Human Health, 3(4), 426-448.

Gu, R., Shi, Y., Huang, W., Lao, C., Zou, Z., Pan, S., & Huang, Z. (2020). Theobromine mitigates IL-1β-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and degradation of type II collagen in human chondrocytes. International Immunopharmacology,
82, 106226.

Rauf, A., Imran, M., Abu-Izneid, T., Haq, I. U., Patel, S., Pan, X., Naz, S., Silva, A. S., Saeed, F., & Suleria, H. A. R. (2019). Proanthocyanidins: A comprehensive review. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 116, 108999.

Razola-Díaz, M. D. C., Aznar-Ramos, M. J., Verardo, V., Melgar-Locatelli, S., Castilla-Ortega, E., & Rodríguez-Pérez, C. (2023). Exploring the Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Compounds in Different Cocoa Powders. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 12(3), 716.

Ruijters, E. J. B., Haenen, G. R. M. M., Weseler, A. R., Bast, A. (2014). The cocoa flavanol (−)-epicatechin protects the cortisol response. Pharmacological Research, 79, 28-33.

Temple, J. L., Bernard, C., Lipshultz, S. E., Czachor, J. D., Westphal, J. A., & Mestre, M. A. (2017). The Safety of Ingested Caffeine: A Comprehensive Review. Frontiers in psychiatry, 8, 80.

Science Direct: Cacao

Encyclopedia Britannica: Cacao

WebMD: Cocoa – Uses, Side Effects, and More

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Not in Kansas Anymore (www.notinksanymore.com) is a site/blog authored and managed by Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy (pwrchr-dorothy). This site/blog is intended to provide educational and research information, and to share the author’s journey.

The author of this site/blog is not a medical physician and this site/blog does not provide medical advice. This site/blog contains information that should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. If you choose to apply or implement any information posted at this site/blog, you do so at your own risk.