Praktikos Institute

The plethora of research done on chocolate’s tremendous health benefits has primarily studied raw cacao and processed dark chocolate. Raw foodies and experts argue that raw cacao contain all of the health inducing benefits left intact, while processing destroys much of the nutrients. Raw cacao also stars as a superfood with higher antioxidant counts compared to processed cocoa.

The cacao tree is a small evergreen tree that is native to the tropical regions of South America. It bears beans that are typically dried and used to make cocoa powder and chocolate, though cacao can also be consumed raw. Cacao is treasured in Central and South American countries for its robust taste, energizing properties, and nutritional value. In this article, we’ll take a look at the latter aspect and find out why so many of these cultures hold cacao with such regard.

Chocolate has been unwrapped as a healthy dietary addition for most. Of course, it should be organic dark chocolate minimally sweetened and without milk additives. Since raw cacao is the main antioxidant and nutritional provider, it should be well over 70% cacao and more bitter than sweet. You can get raw cacao nibs or powders if you want to realize cacao’s maximum health benefits.

It may not be the recommendation that is suitable to a dietician but chances are good the average person will like it: new research suggests that chocolate may act as a sort of “defense shield” against stroke. Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden followed more than 37,000 Swedish men; in the end, the data showed that those eating the most chocolate were the least likely to have a stroke, according to reports detailing the project.

The freshly sequenced genome of the most commonly cultivated cacao plant in the world is revealed in the open access journal Genome Biology. Researchers have utilised high quality DNA sequences to demonstrate the usefulness and quality of the sequence to identify genetic markers that can lead to higher yielding cocoa plants that still produce better tasting cocoa.

While not a formal diet per se, the miracle fruit adds a unique twist to a food from a native west African shrub called Synsepalum dulcificum. The health benefits that fruits provide prove their importance in diet. Fruits such as blueberries and strawberries are excellent sources of antioxidants and a host of vitamins and minerals. It’s no surprise that there would be a diet that revolved around fruit.

A low-calorie diet eliminates insulin dependence and leads to improved heart function in obese patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

In a study conducted among 25 healthy individuals living in a controlled setting who were randomized to overconsumption of different levels of protein diets, those consuming the low-protein diet had less weight gain compared to those consuming normal and high protein diets, and calories alone, and not protein appeared to contribute to an increase in body fat, according to a study in the January 4 issue of JAMA.

Health starts from the inside. A good cleansing and skin care routine can help make your skin healthier, but what you put into your body makes a big impact as well.

Radishes are available all round the year with their peak season being winters and spring. Both the root and the leaves are commonly eaten in different forms namely vegetable, salad, stir-fry, curry, soup etc.