‘Cocoa’ and ‘Cacao’ appear to be identical anyway but still, there is a significant contrast in both the ingredients.
Cocoa powder is the raw cacao beans roasted at high temperatures to get an intense flavor and aroma.
The impact of roasting the Cacao is the sub-atomic construction of the cocoa bean changes, bringing down the, generally speaking, healthy benefit and wipe-out other medical advantages of this crop.
In terms of being a healthy option, Cacao is the one. Why so..?
Well, Cacao is less processed food. It’s a vegan source of monounsaturated fats, cholesterol-free fats, vital nutrients, minerals, fiber, carbs, and proteins that make it a magnificent source of essential nutrients. Thus, yes cacao powder for weight loss is a good choice.
On the contrary, Cocoa powder is highly processed, heat refined, have low nutrients, and sometimes also consists of sugars, fats, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, etc.
So, one reason why Cacao is a healthier form of food is that it’s organic, raw, natural, and not processed or combined with any taste enhancement agents.
Cacao Powder Nutrition
Cacao powder is a star ingredient in most desserts like chocolate cakes and chocolate bars. Examines the following Cacao powder nutritional profile.
Let us discuss cacao powder nutrition details per 2 tablespoons of cacao powder:
Calories: 50 Cals
Carbs: 6 grams
Proteins: 3grams
Fats: 1.4 grams
Fiber: 4 grams
Potassium: 5% RDI
Calcium: 3% RDI
Iron: 20% RDI
Magnesium: 24% RDI
Vitamin B6: 1% RDI
*RDI – Recommended Daily Intake (percentage of RDI might be higher or lower based upon your calorie needs.)
Cacao Powder Benefits
The fiber present inside cacao powder promotes digestion and can decrease the danger of irritable bowel syndrome and other stomach-related issues. Here are some other medical advantages of cacao powder:
1. Lowers Blood Pressure
Cacao powder is loaded with flavonoids. These vital supplements have been displayed to assist significant lowering of blood pressure, further improve the flow of blood towards the brain and heart, plus help prevent blood clumps.
2. Diminished Diabetes Risk
The flavonoids in cacao powder might assist with expanding insulin sensitivity, lessening your danger of type-2 diabetes.
3. Diminished Heart Disease Risk
Cacao powder contains heaps of potassium. Potassium has been displayed to diminish the hazard of heart-related illness by lessening lower body aggravation and weight on cells.
4. Diminished Inflammation
The flavonoids in cacao powder can lessen irritation and inflammation throughout your body. Diminished inflammation might reduce your danger of certain tumors, diabetes, joint inflammation, misery, and Alzheimer’s infection.
Is Cacao Powder Good for Weight Loss?
There’s an exciting buzz circulating all around that chocolate can assist you with getting thinner, slimmer, and make you look toned.
Sound unrealistic? Right?
Although, this is not entirely wrong. Yes, cacao powder can help you lose weight in many ways but, it works only as an assisting agent.
In its simple structure, this superfood is vastly different and holds the way into these cases. In case you need to encounter some chocolate extravagance in addition to a slim body, add Cacao to your diet without sugar.
Try adding organic nectar, maple syrup, or agave syrup to your cacao powder recipes for added sweetness.
Related Read: Organic Jaggery Nutrition Facts | 6 Magical Health Benefits
8 Reasons to Prefer Cacao Powder for Weight Loss
Here are listed few ways how cacao powder helps you lose weight:
1. Digestion
Research shows that natural cacao powder can support your body’s digestion by assisting it with changing over fat into energy. This helps to increase your metabolism levels, and higher metabolism will help you lose weight faster.
2. State of Mind & Mood
Cacao is one of the mood-enhancing foods varieties as it helps boost serotonin in our cerebrums. Serotonin is a mood-enhancing and feel-good hormone.
3. Hunger suppressant
Your body creates a chemical called Ghrelin which expands your appetite and cravings. An examination in the Netherlands showed that eating dark chocolate (Cacao) brought down ghrelin levels. Serotonin is also used as a hunger suppressor.
4. Immunity Booster
Studies have shown the presence of fantastic cancer prevention agents in cacao powder. They protect your body against chronic illnesses like heart attack, hypertension, cholesterol, and strokes.
It raises good cholesterol levels and thins your blood’s consistency which forestalls plaque development in your arteries.
5. Detoxifier
Cocoa powder is high in fiber, keeping your stomach-related framework appropriately working. Cacao powder is likewise exceptionally wealthy in flavonoids and antioxidants that shield your body from harmful substances.
It has been discovered that poisons can hinder the weight reduction process, so it is significant to keep your body as poison-free as conceivable.
6. Calming & Anti-Inflammatory
Research at the Louisiana State University showed that Cacao could decrease irritation, especially in the intestinal system.
For those who have encountered irritation with the inflammatory bowel and digestive tract, you can take help from cacao powder to ease your anger. Because the calm digestive system will help you digest food better and burn calories faster.
7. Nourishment
Cacao is incredibly nutritious. A piece of 70% dark chocolate contains 16% of your everyday fiber needs, as much protein as a cup of broccoli, and the fat in the Cacao gives you that more fuller feeling for longer, so you can feel fulfilled and stay away from processed foods.
8. Expanded energy
Polyphenols found in organic cocoa chocolate builds the energy-creating mitochondria in your muscles, giving you more power to avert exhaustion and to consume fat.
When your mitochondria get more energy from different fatty parts of your body, you can burn fats faster with just 15 minutes of high-intensity cardio.
Cacao Powder For Weight Loss Recipe Ideas
Chocolate Oatmeal
Gluten & Dairy Free Chocolate Truffles
Cinnamon Cacao Hot Chocolate
Vegan Chocolate Almond Tart with Raspberries
Fudgy Cacao Superfood Brownies
The Bottom Line
Cacao powder looks precisely the same as cocoa powder. Therefore, it is challenging to spot the difference.
Hence, it is advised to kindly check your brand and packet label for complete authentication before buying any product.
Please, don’t entirely depend upon cacao powder for your weight loss journey. Take factors like your diet, sleep and exercise more into your consideration.
You can swap cocoa powder with cacao powder and try making new sweet desserts as well as healthy snacks at the comfort of your home.
