Cocoa

Cocoa

Chocolate lovers rejoice!

Cocoa has been enjoyed for thousands of years by ancient cultures including the Aztecs and Mayans. And now it has reached superfood status. Packing twelve times the antioxidant capacity of blueberries, natural cocoa is a crave-worthy, age-defying ingredient.

But that's not all. Researchers have identified more than 600 nutrients in the addictive bean that offer a myriad of health benefits. Most studied of these nutrients are the flavonoids. One flavonoid in group in particular -the catechins - may help to protect your heart and boost your immune system.

When choosing cocoa, opt for organic, fair-trade cocoa that has not been "dutched", or treated with alkali. The process of alkalizing cuts the antioxidant power of cocoa in half.

Try the many all-natural chocolate delights here at Healing Gourmet. They're rich in cocoa and antioxidants, yet low in sugar and include favorites like Chocolate Souffle, Dark Chocolate Brownies and Chocolate Rum Balls.

Estimated Glycemic Load=4
Antioxidant Score (ORAC)=80,933*

*Natural, unsweetened cocoa powder

The Benefits

*Excellent Source of:
*Good Source of:
*Preferences: Low Fat, Low Saturated Fat, Low Cholesterol, Low Sodium, Low Carbohydrate, Low Sugars, No Fish, No Pork, No Eggs, No Shellfish, No Gluten, No Nuts, No Seeds, No Soy, No Dairy, No Poultry, No Red Meat, No Corn, No Yeast, No Peanuts, No Molds, No Tubers, No Citrus, No Nightshade, No Legumes, No Grains

Selecting and Storing

Check the ingredient list of any bar chocolate or cocoa to make sure that you are buying real chocolate. Don't be concerned about traces of white on the surface of chocolate. They indicate that the chocolate has undergone temperature variation but will not influence taste or quality. Store at room temperature or refrigerate, but do not freeze. Freezing interferes with the composition of the cocoa butter and causes the chocolate to crumble.

Nutrition Information(amounts per serving)

Serving Size: 1-Tbsp(s) COCOA,DRY PDR,UNSWTND

OMEGA-6 / OMEGA-3 RATIO: 0

Calories: 11

MACRONUTRIENTS	Amount	% Daily Value*
Total Fat	0.69 g	*
Saturated Fat	0.4 g	*
Monosaturated Fat	0.23 g	*
Polyunsaturated Fat	0.02 g	*
Trans Fat	0 g	*
Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3)
ALA	0 mg	*
EPA, DHA	0 mg, 0 mg	*
Conjugated linolenic acid (CLA)	0 mg	*
Cholesterol	0 mg	*
Total Carbohydrate	2.7 g	*
Sugars	0.09 g	*
Fiber	1.7 g	*
Protein	0.98 g	*

MICRONUTRIENTS	Amount	% Daily Value*
VITAMINS
Vitamin A	0 IU	0%
Vitamin C	0mg	0%
Vitamin D	0 IU	0%
Vitamin E	0.01 IU	0%
Vitamin B6	0.01 mg	0%
Vitamin B12	0 mcg	0%
Vitamin K	0.13 mg	0%
Folate	1.6 mcg	0%
Niacin	0.11 mg	1%
Riboflavin	0.01 mg	1%
Thiamin	0 mg	0%
MINERALS
Calcium	6.4 mg	1%
Copper	0.19 mg	10%
Iron	0.69 mg	4%
Magnesium	25 mg	6%
Manganese	0.19 mg	10%
Phosphorous	36.7 mg	4%
Potassium	76.2 mg	2%
Selenium	0.72 mcg	1%
Sodium	1 mg	0%
Zinc	0.34 mg	2%
PHYTONUTRIENTS
Alpha-carotene	0 mcg
Beta-carotene	0 mcg
Beta-cryptoxanthin	0 mcg
Lutein + zeaxanthin	1.9 mcg
Lycopene	0 mcg

*Notes on Macronutrients: Because your personal nutrition needs are unique, please refer to the information on this site to learn more about your intake of macronutrients (Fats, Carbohydrates & Protein).