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.

Two studies published in the current on-line issue of the journal /i>Appetite indicate that consuming in-shell pistachios is a weight-wise approach to healthy snacking, offering unique mindful eating benefits to help curb consumption and decrease calorie intake.

The concept of energy balance that the number of calories consumed must be offset by the number burned is gaining traction among researchers as a way to reduce cancer rates.

Instead of simply cutting down on calories, opting for a protein rich diet is the best way to shed those extra kilos, a new study by Australian researchers reveals.

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).