Welcome to Mayesa’s BlogArchive for the ‘Raw Cacao’ CategoryDark Chocolate and Healthy Living!September 26, 2014
Categories Cacao, Dark Chocolate, Health, Healthy Eating, Healthy Foods, Healthy Lifestyle, Heart-Healthy, Organic Cacao, Probiotics, Raw Cacao
Why You Should Eat and Drink High-Cacao Dark Chocolate – Part 2December 18, 2013
We continue here with more information from Mark Sisson: 4. Dark chocolate and cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that people with both normal and elevated cholesterol levels, who ingested cacao powder mixed with hot water lowered LDL (bad cholesterol) and increased HDL (good cholesterol). All three doses of high-flavanol cacao powder – 13, 19.5, and 26 g/day – proved beneficial. If you’re wondering, 26 grams of powder is about a quarter cup. The effects of chocolate on cholesterol also means that it will lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. And indeed, epidemiological studies suggest that this is the case. In a sample of over 2200 patients, chocolate consumption was inversely associated with progression of atherosclerotic plaque (clogged arteries). 5. Dark chocolate and insulin resistance. For fifteen days, hypertensive, glucose-intolerant patients received either 100 daily grams of high-polyphenol dark chocolate or 100 daily grams of zero-polyphenol white chocolate. Nothing differed between the groups besides the type of chocolate. Dark chocolate lowered blood pressure, increased insulin sensitivity, and improved endothelial function, while white chocolate did none of those things. 6. Dark chocolate and UV damage. Who would have thought? One study found that feeding high levels of dark chocolate to healthy people over twelve weeks resulted in greater resistance to UV dosage than a low-flavanol-from-cacao Seeing as how most of chocolate’s benefits stem from the polyphenol content, and most of the studies that saw large effects used “high-flavanol” dark chocolate, you should be gunning for chocolate with high polyphenol counts. Dutch processed, or alkalized, chocolate lightens the color, removes some of the bitter compounds, and gives it a milder taste. Awesome for Hershey’s Kisses, but awful for the flavanol content. Those “bitter compounds,” you see, are the flavanols. Without the bitterness (which I think of as complexity), you’re missing most of the beneficial polyphenols. It might taste good, but it won’t perform all of the aforementioned physiological tasks. Once you’ve got a lead on some good chocolate with high cacao and lower sugar levels, eat a few squares a sitting, or enjoy Mayesa healthy chocolate drink every day! Treat it like a medicinal adjunct to an otherwise solid diet, says Sisson. We thank Mark Sisson for his insightful discussion of the wonderful health benefits of raw cacao. Source: MarksDailyApple Disclaimer: Neither Mark Sisson nor Mayesa has received remuneration for the publication of this guest blog, nor is there product endorsement.
Healthy Eating – 8 Superfoods of FallOctober 21, 2013
Fall brings an abundance of superfoods into the grocery stores and farmers markets. Here are eight of the top superfoods of fall: 1. Apples Sweet or tart, apples are satisfying eaten raw or baked into a delicious dish. Just be sure to eat the skin—it contains hearty-healthy flavonoids. Health benefits include: 2. Pears The sweet and juicy taste makes this fruit a crowd-pleaser. Cooking brings out their fabulous flavor, so try them baked or poached. Health benefits include: 3. Cauliflower The sweet, slightly nutty flavor of cauliflower is perfect for winter side dishes. It’s wonderful steamed, but it can also be blended to create a mashed potato-like texture or pureed into soup. Health benefits include: 4. Winter Squash Unlike summer squash (such as zucchini), winter squash (butternut squash, acorn squash, spaghetti squash, etc.) has a fine texture and a slightly sweet flavor. Because of its thick skin, it can be stored for months. It tastes best with other fall flavorings, like cinnamon and ginger. Health benefits include: 5. Pumpkin Technically a fruit, but also considered a type of winter squash, pumpkin can be used for much more than jack-o’-lanterns. Its sweet taste and moist texture make it ideal for pies, pudding, and especially hearty soup. Health benefits include: 6. Sweet potatoes These veggies are for much more than Thanksgiving casseroles. More nutritionally dense than their white-potato counterparts, try roasting them—they’ll taste delicious, and you may maintain more vitamins than boiling. Health benefits include: 7. Pomegranates This fruit has gotten a lot of press as an antioxidant powerhouse. The juice provides a tangy base for marinades, and the seeds can be tossed into salads to amp up the flavor. Health benefits include: 8. Dates This Middle Eastern favorite is a sweet fruit that is much more versatile than you might think. Besides chopping it up in desserts, try it braised in stews, or stuffed with cream cheese or almonds. Health benefits include: Bonus 9. Cacao Cacao is a superfood for all seasons. In a two-part series beginning next month we’ll be looking at all the reasons raw cacao is so good for a healthy eating plan and a healthy lifestyle.
Source: health.com
What is “Fair Trade” in the Chocolate Industry?June 26, 2013
A trading partnership, based on respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers. What exactly does this mean and why is this a big deal? In 2000 journalists began documenting the continued practice of forced child labor in the West African cacao trade, a source of 70% of the world’s chocolate. Since the Ivory Coast in West Africa alone produces 40% of the planet’s raw cacao, its beans are mixed into almost every brand of mass-produced chocolate. Large global corporations such as Hershey and Nestle have historically done little to address the problem of slave labor, and most cocoa on the world market is bought “blind,” through importers and brokers. Besides the slave labor issue, cacao farmers are often forced to sell their harvest to middlemen who rig scales and misrepresent prices. Fairly traded cacao is monitored by independent, non-profit, certifying organizations that guarantee that the chocolate was produced and traded in a socially responsible manner, specifically that: 1. International Labor Organization Conventions on child labor and forced labor are adhered to. 2. The cacao beans were bought directly from a democratically controlled co-operative of small scale farmers, which helps them gain more control of their livelihoods and ensures farmers a higher percentage of cocoa export revenues. Organic cacao has a built-in aspect that makes it somewhat automatically a fair trade product. Organic farms are subject to their own independent monitoring system that checks labor practices. Also, as of now, cacao beans are not organically grown in the Ivory Coast, which is where the vast majority of the reports about exploitation and slavery in the chocolate trade are centered. Mayesa purchases its organic cacao beans through Fair Trade from farmer co-operatives in Peru. Knowing this you can enjoy your delicious healthy chocolate drink feeling as good about the way the chocolate was grown and harvested as you do about the way it tastes.
Photo Credit: telegraph.co.uk
Source: Fairtradeusa.org Vision.UCSD.edu
Great Changes in School Lunches for Healthy KidsJune 19, 2012  Michelle Obama is seen here joining students at Parklawn Elementary School in Alexandria, VA, for a healthy lunch of turkey tacos, black bean and corn salad, and fresh fruit, prepared by celebrity chef Rachael Ray The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2012 was signed by President Obama as a major step forward in America’s effort to provide all children with healthy foods in their schools. Since then USDA guidelines are implementing important provisions of the legislation, which includes significant improvements that will help provide children with healthier and more nutritious food options, educate children about making healthy food choices, and teach children healthy habits that can last a lifetime, says a White House statement.
Categories General, Health, Healthy Chocolate, Healthy Family Eating, Kids Eating Right, News and Information, Nutrition, Organic Cacao, Raw Cacao
Can Chocolate Keep You Slim? – A New StudyApril 19, 2012
The study looked at diet, calorie intake, and body mass index (BMI) of almost 1,000 participants. “Our findings appear to add to a body of information suggesting that the composition of calories, not just the number of them, matters for determining their ultimate impact on weight,” said Golomb. “Even though chocolate is loaded with calories, it contains ingredients that may favor weight loss rather than fat synthesis.” Interestingly that link remained even when other factors, such as exercise, were taken into account. And it appears it is how often you eat chocolate that is important, rather than how much of it you eat. The study found no link with the quantity that was consumed. In addition, Dr Golomb and her team believe that antioxidant compounds found in raw cacao, called catechins, can even improve lean muscle mass and reduce weight. Mice fed for 15 days with epicatechin (present in dark chocolate) had improved exercise performance and observable changes to their muscle composition. Dr. Golomb says clinical trials are now needed to see if this is the case in humans. The type of chocolate consumed is important. Most chocolate used in candy bars, chocolate milk, snacks and desserts contain low percentages of cocoa and large amounts of sugar and fat, which can cause obvious problems such as weight gain and onset of diabetes. For the health benefits of chocolate be sure you eat dark chocolate which is listed as 70% or higher. The percentage indicates the amount of raw cacao in the product. The more raw chocolate the less sugar and fat. And drink Mayesa – a great way of indulging in healthy chocolate because it’s made from healthy organic raw cacao. March is National Nutrition Month – Drink Healthy Chocolate Mayesa!March 20, 2012
Mayesa is packed with great nutrition, starting with organic cacao – the purest form of chocolate. This is blended together with such things as pea protein and rice, along with special spices, for an unusually indulgent nutritional source. And that’s just the beginning of the amazing nutrition of Mayesa. Here’s more: Mayesa contains no cholesterol and no trans fats. What Mayesa does contain is: 1. Antioxidants – Cacao contains a higher 2. Magnesium – supports the heart, brain, and digestive system 3. Iron – 314% of RDA of Iron per ounce serving. 4. Theobromine – dilates the cardiovascular system, making the heart’s job easier 5. Anandamide – An endorphin known as the “Bliss Chemical” that is released naturally by the body after exercise and is found in Cacao Nutritional Bonus! Mayesa is dairy-free, gluten-free,soy-free, and VEGAN! Isn’t it great to have a way of making sure you get great nutrition on a daily basis, and indulge in healthy chocolate at the same time? Can’t beat it! About National Nutrition Month National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to promote nutrition awareness and education. It originated in 1973 as “National Nutrition Week” and expanded to the month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. The theme changes each year, but it always focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This year’s theme, “Eat Right with Color,” provides an easy way to focus on improving eating habits — simply include plenty of color on your plate. And the rich brown of healthy organic cacao is a great color to add to your nutritional palette!
Categories Event, Health, Healthy Chocolate, News and Information, Nutrition, Organic Cacao, Raw Cacao
New Year Resolution – Eat More (Healthy) Chocolate!January 17, 2012
This year you can keep that resolution – because it will be fun, delicious, and maybe even decadent! Who wouldn’t want to stick to a resolution like that? From the Ochanomizu University in Tokyo to the University of Cambridge in England, and dozens of universities and research labs across the United States, scientifically-designed medical studies are showing that there is a positive correlation between healthy organic cacao and a reduction in the risk of developing heart disease. The flavanols contained in cacao have been found to act as “cardioprotective” agents. Although the mechanisms behind this effect are still under investigation, cacao is thought to possibly exert its benefits on cardiovascular health by activation of nitric oxide and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The flavanols have chemical structures favoring antioxidant actions such as free radical scavenging and chelation of metals. In addition, it appears that the antioxidants in cacao can prevent the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol relating to the mechanism of protection in heart disease. In a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, results showed 47% improvement in “endothelium function,” which measures how much the arteries dilated. There was also indication that there was an increase in cells that are produced in the bone marrow and that can develop into the structural cells that line and repair the arteries and veins. It’s important to note that it is raw cacao that is indicated as an element that helps reduce heart disease. The more sugars and fats that are added to chocolate as it is refined and used to manufacture chocolate products used in hot chocolate beverages, chocolate milk, candy and other chocolate sweets, the further away you get from the health benefits of raw cacao. Drinking delicious, healthy chocolate Mayesa – in its Original Cacao flavor and its Cacao Mint flavor – can both satisfy your chocolate cravings, and offer possible health benefits as well!
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