Cocoa Herb Uses, Benefits, Cures, Side Effects, Nutrients

It may cause allergic skin reactions, constipation.
It may cause Kidney Stones.
Excess intake may cause Weight gain, Anxiety, Heartburn, Sleeplessness and abnormal Heart rhythms.
It can have negative effects on the functioning of the Central Nervous System.

Cocoa is the fruit of the Cacao Theobroma tree.
It is an evergreen.
It belongs to the Mallow family.
It grows in a tropical climate.
It grows up to 8 M.
Best used for High Blood Pressure.

Cocoa Fruit: The fruit of Cocoa plant is called Cocoa Fruit. The fruit is 15 to 20 cm in size. It is filled with 20 to 50 seeds, called Cacao Beans.
Cacao Beans: It is the raw bean from the Cocoa Fruit. It is the purest and the most beneficial part of the Cocoa. It is a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants.
Cocoa: The roasted and processed form of Cacao Beans is known as Cocoa. The processing of Cacao destroys vital nutrients in it. Thus, Cocoa holds less nutritional value than Cacao.
Cocoa Butter: The fat removed from the Cacao Bean is called Cocoa Butter. It is also known as Theobroma Oil.

Note: In the raw form, Cacao has numerous Health benefits. It encourages Weight Loss, prevents Cavities, fights Diabetes and is good for Cardiovascular System. Processing destroys the essential nutrients in Cacao Beans.

Chocolate in all forms includes Cacao and Cocoa that is obtained from Theobroma Cacao Tree. Theobroma tree naturally grows in the forests of the Amazon. The fruit from Theobroma Cacao is about twice the size of a mango. Cacao beans are best used for treating Gout. They prevent and even cure Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes, Cavities, and Obesity.
The cacao beans grow in pods on the tree. The cacao pods are wet and covered in a slimy fruit flesh. They can be eaten in the raw form and are bitter in taste. The ripened pods are harvested and opened to extract seeds out of it. The beans are processed to make Cacao or Cocoa. Cocoa is darker in color than Cacao. They differ in nutrition, flavor, and cost.
Cocoa is roasted at high temperatures. It is treated with an alkali agent to make it ready to eat. This makes it low in nutritional value. Cocoa is available in powder form also. The raw Cacao beans are roasted to make Cocoa. The roasted beans are low in nutrition. Cacao is pure chocolate. It is a rich source of antioxidants in foods. It has a high amount of flavonoids. Cacao is high in protein, fiber, magnesium, and iron.
Sadly, the practices used for converting Cacao into Cocoa destroys the vital nutrients present in raw Cacao. The presence of flavonoids like Epicatechins, Catechins, Flavian-3-ols and Proanthocyanidins make Cacao one of the top sources of antioxidants. They act as COX2 inhibitors, suppress inflammation, reduce joint pain and prevent the production of free radicals. Epicatechin is known for increasing the levels of antioxidants in the blood and decreasing the levels of free radicals.
Cacao for Gout
Theobroma Cacao, the plant of Cacao got its name from a Swiss botanist Carl Linnaeus. It is believed that Carl Linnaeus completely cured his Gout with Cacao. Cacao in its raw form works in two ways. It combats the active flares of Gout and even prevents from future Gout attacks.
Cacao has two strong properties, Antiinflammatory and Antioxidant.
The anti-inflammatory property of Cacao provides relief from the chronic inflammation of the Gout. During a Gout attack, a large number of free radicals are produced in the body.
Cacao with its strong antioxidant properties helps in eliminating these from the body. The antioxidant property of Cacao even keeps the Kidney functions at their best. The Kidneys are able to clean Uric acid from the blood, this prevents the occurrence of further Gout attacks.
The Polyphenols and Flavonoids present in Cacao, inhibit COX2 and provide relief from inflammation. Cacao improves blood circulation, this helps in dissolving and clearing uric acid from the blood.
Cacao is the raw seed or bean from Theobroma Cacao tree. Cacao beans are loaded with essential nutrients and vitamins. Beans are one of the richest sources of Magnesium. In the raw form, Cacao holds a number of health benefits.

Antioxidants in Cacao decrease the inflammation. It also combats the danger of free radicals.
They regulate sugar levels in the blood, increase the body sensitivity to insulin, prevent the formation of cavities, encourage weight loss and are beneficial for the Cardiovascular System. Sadly, the Cacao beans undergo a lot of processes like cleaning, drying, fermentation, sprouting, heating in the formation of Chocolate. These processes, especially heating destroys the nutrients present in the Cacao. This is the reason, that Chocolate carries the least amount of nutrients in it. The addition of dairy and sugar into the Cacao spoils the condition further. The resultant product is more known for causing problems like Obesity, Diabetes, and Cavities, than any of its benefits.
Cacao prevents from Cardiovascular diseases. The oxidation of Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) is a prime cause of all Cardiovascular diseases. The polyphenols present in Cacao inhibit the oxidation of Low-Density Lipoproteins. Polyphenols even prevent the hardening of the Arteries. This reduces the chances of encountering Atherosclerosis. Cacao is widely used in lowering Blood Pressure and Cholesterol levels in the Blood. It lowers the risk of inflammation, poor blood circulation and protects against Cardio diseases. It promotes heart health by reducing LDL which is bad cholesterol. It prevents the hardening of arteries. It has blood-thinning properties and prevents blood clots.
It helps in weight loss. Cacao reduces appetite and helps in lowering body weight.
It improves memory and regulates the blood flow to Brain. It also prevents Alzheimer's disease.
It has a good concentration of magnesium and combats fatigue and prevents Osteoporosis.
It contains sulphur which is good for the Liver and Pancreas. It regulates glucose metabolism as well. Cacao helps in reducing insulin sensitivity.
Cacao consumption reduces the stress hormone and enhances the mood. It helps in combating Depression and PMS.
It improves skin texture, Skin hydration and prevents Skin burn. It contains healthy fats. It promotes the functionality of Immune function and metabolic function of the body.
It hardens the tooth enamel and prevents cavitis.
Cacao is rich in fibre and improves digestion. It promotes regular Bowel movement.
Cacao is known for fighting bacteria that cause tooth decay like Streptococci mutans.




Cocoa Butter is the healthy fat that is removed from the Cacao Beans. Sadly, It is only being used in the cosmetic industry and in the formation of Chocolates.
Cocoa is the powder left over from the cacao beans after the Cocoa Butter ( natural fat ) has been removed.