Welcome to Mayesa’s BlogPosts Tagged ‘organic cacao’Heart-Healthy Chocolate for Valentine’s DayFebruary 12, 2014
Hearts, chocolate, and Valentine’s Day have gone together like hands in gloves for decades. But it’s just recently that science has been putting its stamp of approval on dark chocolate as a true benefit of a healthy heart. Cacao is being studied more and more, and the findings are exciting for chocolate lovers. It turns out that “Healthy Chocolate” is a real concept. In fact, dark chocolate, the same type that is in Mayesa drinks, has been recently cited by some top health professionals and researchers as the single most exciting health food. In universities and research labs across the U.S. and around the world scientifically-designed medical studies are showing that there is a positive correlation between organic cacao and a reduction in the risk of developing heart disease. The flavanols contained in cacao have been found to act as “cardio-protective” agents. Benefits of consuming dark chocolate like that found in Mayesa: 1. Effect on Arteries and Veins In a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, results showed 47% improvement in how much the arteries dilated. There was also indication that an increase in cells occurred that are produced in the bone marrow and that can develop into the structural cells that line and repair the arteries and veins. In another study with a sample of over 2200 patients, the more cacao that was eaten, the fewer clogged arteries were found. Cacao consumption has also been found to improve arterial flow in smokers. 2. Effect on Cholesterol It appears that the antioxidants in cacao can prevent the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol relating to the mechanism of protection in heart 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. 3. Effect on Blood Pressure Research pretty consistently shows that dark chocolate consumption is related to lower blood pressure readings. For example, one study found that fifteen days of eating dark chocolate lowered blood pressure in healthy subjects. Another study used flavanol-rich cacao to increase nitric oxide production in healthy humans which dilated the blood vessels thus lowering blood pressure. Still another study found that eating dark chocolate improved circulation directly to the heart. Valentine’s Day Super Food Cacao is a superfood for all seasons, and especially for Valentine’s Day. Valentine chocolates are generally presented in a heart-shaped box, or are created in the shape of a heart. And now science is telling us that dark chocolate – is actually “heart-healthy!” It’s important to note that it is cacao (dark chocolate) 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 candy and other chocolate sweets, the further away you get from the health benefits of cacao. Both the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association recommend eating a moderate amount of dark chocolate every day to contribute to maintaining a healthy heart. So, enjoy your Valentine’s Day chocolate – just make sure it is quality dark chocolate.
Why You Should Eat and Drink High-Cacao Dark Chocolate – Part 1November 20, 2013
Finally the experts endorse a food that is so tasty that we feel almost decadent eating it, yet at the same time turns out to be oh-so-good for us. The more studies that are done the more detailed is our understanding of just what amazing things cacao can do for our bodies. Nutritionist and fitness expert Mark Sisson explains it as well as we’ve ever seen, and and we are reprinting his discussion of the health benefits of cacao here. The article will be in two parts so you will get all of his great information: The truth is that you should probably be eating dark chocolate on at least a semi-regular basis because, as it turns out, it is very good for you. Dark chocolate is healthy. Dark chocolate is great – the perfect storm of flavor, flavonoids, and fat. It tastes really good, comes loaded with polyphenols, and cocoa butter is a great source of saturated and monosaturated fat. I am going to explicitly outline the myriad health benefits that cacao offers. 1. Dark chocolate contains healthy fats. Cocoa butter, which is extracted from the cacao bean and incorporated into most reputable dark chocolate bars, is mostly monounsaturated and saturated fat, with very little polyunsaturated fat. And most of that saturated fat is stearic acid, widely known for having neutral effects on LDL (the bad cholesterol). 2. Dark chocolate contains lots of polyphenols, particularly flavanols. When it comes to polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity, cacao trounces the “superfruits” acai, pomegranate, cranberry, and blueberry. The most studied polyphenol in cacao is epicatechin, a flavanol that is quite potent and healthful. What when the square of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate melts on the tongue, is swallowed, digested, and incorporated into the body? What are the actual health benefits of consuming high-cacao content dark chocolate? Read on – 3. Dark chocolate and blood pressure. Epidemiological studies (the study of the causes and effects of health in specific populations) pretty consistently show that dark chocolate consumption is related to lower blood pressure readings, for example among the Kuna Indians living in Panama, and the elderly Dutch. These findings led to controlled studies by researchers in the medical and nutrition fields. For example, one study found that fifteen days of eating dark chocolate lowered blood pressure (and improved insulin sensitivity) in healthy subjects. Cacao consumption also improved arterial flow in smokers. Another study used flavanol-rich cacao to increase nitric oxide production in healthy humans which dilated the blood vessels thus lowering blood pressure. Still another study found that eating dark chocolate improved circulation directly to the heart.
Source: MarksDailyApple Disclaimer: Neither Mark Sisson nor Mayesa has received remuneration for the publication of this guest blog, nor is there product endorsement.
Categories Dark Chocolate, General, Health, Healthy Chocolate, Healthy Eating, Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Snacks, Organic Cacao
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
Cacao as MedicineMay 22, 2013
The Aztecs knew that this delicious bean was famous for healing the nervous system and improving digestion and elimination. Other medicinal properties for which the Aztecs used cacao included alleviating fever, anemia, poor appetite, mental fatigue and poor breast milk production. It was also used for respiratory ailments, gout, kidney stones and low virility. In recent years modern science has delved into the secrets of this amazing bean to discover that it’s the Theobromine, antioxidant flavanols, catecins , and many other body and brain enhancing elements contained in the bean that makes it such a powerhouse of medicine. In fact, chocolate has been very recently cited by some top health professionals and researchers to be the single most exciting health food. How is it possible that something that only recently was thought of as an unhealthy indulgence is now being hailed as so remarkably beneficial? Answer – “chocolate” does not necessarily equal “cacao bean.” Most chocolate candy and other chocolate products on the market contain low levels of cacao and high amounts of sugars, milk fat, and artificial flavorings. In addition, the quality and processing of cacao used in these products is often low due to alkalinization, refining, processing and over-roasting of the bean. If you want the true health benefits that cacao can give you, choose only high cacao percentage dark chocolate, with a minimum of 75% cacao and even better, stick to at least 85% cacao. And for true healthy chocolate, look for products that use organic cacao, and are soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Source: BrainFood
Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party – This is the Healthy Chocolate Party Place!April 5, 2013
Let’s Party! Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party, hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom. We’re joining the party with a giveaway for you! Just follow the instructions below to enter to win a 12-pack of Mayesa healthy chocolate drinks! Mayesa is all about indulging in chocolate – healthy chocolate! Made from organic cacao – one of the healthiest foods on the planet – Mayesa is chocked full of good things for you, including fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin D and those great immunity-boosting antioxidants. And a bonus – Mayesa is dairy-free, gluten-free and soy-free! What does a delicious Mayesa drink do for you? Besides allowing you to pamper yourself with decadent chocolate, you’ll also find that it energizes you, it replenishes you, it increases clarity, and it suppresses hunger. A healthy chocolate Mayesa drink is great for breakfast, a mid-morning pick-me-up, as a way over the mid-afternoon slump, and is perfect for dessert in the evening. You’ll love giving it to your kids, too – knowing that they can now have a chocolate drink that is actually good for them. It’s so great to have you here to visit. Please feel free to browse around and learn more about healthy cacao. Here’s how to enter our Party giveaway: Want extra entries into the contest? Do the following..!
Make sure we have a way to reach you, by leaving your email in the comment. One winner will be chosen at random by using random.org. The contest ends April 15h at 11:59 EDT. We will announce the winner Monday April 17th. And, don’t forget to head over to the Ultimate Blog Party (#UBP13) at the 5 Minutes for Mom web site! It’s a chance to win another 12-pack of delicious healthy chocolate Mayesa drinks! You’ll also discover many other great blog sites, and there are prizes galore! Thanks for learning more about Mayesa – the chocolate drink that’s oh, so delicious – and healthy!
Categories General, Health, Healthy Chocolate, Healthy Lifestyle, Organic Cacao, Ultimate Blog Party
Healthy Chocolate – What is the Best Dose?November 26, 2012
His answer? ” ‘Dose-response data’ might not be strong enough to define an RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance), but I’m going to take a stand: An intake of 35 g/day of 70% or higher is healthy.” Jaminet’s conclusion is based on a look at data from studies that have been done around the world on how organic cacao, eaten as dark chocolate of 70% or higher, affects the body. While chocolate has not yet been recognized as an essential nutrient – yet – it is becoming more and more certain that organic cacao has some definite health benefits. Thus, a number of nutritionists are starting to list chocolate, if not as “essential,” then at least as an important “supplementary” food that should be consumed regularly. 5 Tips for Healthy Family EatingMay 22, 2012
The American Dietetic Association wants to help your entire family stay on track and has launched its Kids Eat Right campaign. Here are 4 top tips from Kids Eat Right to make healthy family eating easy this summer, and we’ve added a tip of our own to round the list to 5: 1. Take your children shopping with you, and let them pick out the healthy foods they enjoy, especially fresh fruits and vegetables that are so plentiful during summer months. 2. Make healthy eating fun by planning a trip around the world. Designate one night a week as “World Night,” and prepare a meal from another country. Many cultures feature healthy foods in their ethnic cooking. For example: Italy has gnocchi which are dumplings made with vegetables such as spinach mixed in; Greece has Tzatziki sauce, made with creamy yogurt, garlic and cucumber, perfect for pita sandwiches or a veggi dip; and Mexico has gazpacho, a cold tomato-based raw vegetable soup, delicious and especially refreshing on a hot day. 3. Invite kids to help in the kitchen when preparing meals, letting the older kids chop and cook foods and the younger kids mix ingredients and set the table. 4. Sit down as a family and eat together. According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, eating together as a family during adolescence is associated with lasting positive effects on nutritional quality in young adulthood. 5. And we’ll add to this list our tip – when the kids want to snack, give them a healthy chocolate snack – Mayesa drinks. Mayesa is made from organic cacao, and so is chocked full of cacao’s healthy qualities including antioxidants, omega 3s, and minerals such as iron and magnesium. In addition, Mayesa energizes, replenishes, and even suppresses hunger leading to less nibbling on unhealthy foods. Do your kids a favor this summer – keep them on track with healthy chocolate Mayesa. Image Credit: macombcountymi.gov
Categories American Dietetic Association, General, Health, Healthy Chocolate, Healthy Family Eating, Kids Eating Right, Nutrition, Organic Cacao
Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party – Where We Party with Healthy Chocolate!April 12, 2012
Mayesa is all about indulging in chocolate – healthy chocolate! Made from organic cacao – one of the healthiest foods on the planet – Mayesa is chocked full of good things for you, including fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin D and those great immunity-boosting antioxidants. And a bonus – Mayesa is dairy-free, gluten-free and soy-free! What does a delicious Mayesa drink do for you? Besides allowing you to pamper yourself with decadent chocolate, you’ll also find that it energizes you, it replenishes you, it increases clarity, and it suppresses hunger. A healthy chocolate Mayesa drink is great for breakfast, a mid-morning pick-me-up, as a way over the mid-afternoon slump, and is perfect for dessert in the evening. You’ll love giving it to your kids, too – knowing that they can now have a chocolate drink that is actually good for them. Mayesa comes in two delicious flavors – Original Cacao, and Cacao Mint. (And here’s a secret – keep watch for the introduction of three new flavors this summer!) It’s so great to have you here to visit. Please feel free to browse around and learn more about healthy cacao. Here’s how to enter our Party giveaway: Want extra entries into the contest? Do the following..!
Make sure we have a way to reach you, by leaving your email in the comment. One winner will be chosen at random by using random.org. The contest ends April 20th at 11:59 EDT. We will announce the winner Monday April 23rd. And, don’t forget to head over to the Ultimate Blog Party (#UBP12)! It’s a chance to win another 12-pack of delicious healthy chocolate Mayesa drinks! You’ll also discover many other great blog sites, and there’s prizes galore! This is our first year participating in the Ultimate Blog Party, so, welcome! And thanks for learning more about Mayesa – the healthy chocolate drink!
Categories Event, Health, Healthy Chocolate, News and Information, Organic Cacao, Ultimate Blog Party
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