The chocolate lovers who wish for health, as well as taste, must try cacao nibs. These satiate your cravings while providing numerous health benefits. This article deals with cacao nibs benefits that you must know.
What are Cacao Nibs?
Cacao nibs are derived from the seeds of the fruit of Theobroma or cacao tree.
Cacao Nibs Nutrition
Cacao nibs contain fewer calories and provide you with an abundant amount of dietary fiber. These also serve as an excellent source of iron and antioxidants that are great for your health. The cacao nibs also contain a high amount of proteins along with essential minerals like magnesium and potassium. Another important fact about cacao nibs is that these contain no sodium.
Cacao Nibs Benefits on Health
Chocolate is one such amazing food that is loved by one and all. However, stripped of some essential nutrients and loaded with calories, the processed chocolate is not great for your health(1). Cacao nibs are the source of the delicious chocolate. As these are minimally processed, they are rich in nutrients and provide you with numerous benefits. Below are some of the significant cacao nibs benefits
1. Weight loss is one of the prominent cacao nibs benefits
Those looking for an easy way to lose weight can munch some pure cacao nibs to shed some kilos. The high amount of fiber present in it makes you feel fuller for long thus preventing overeating. It is because fiber takes time to digest and keeps your stomach full for longer. Further, it also aids in regulating the bowel movement and adequately burns the calories, thus maintaining your weight.
2. Cacao nibs reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
Improved cardiovascular health also comes in the list of cacao nibs benefits. The cacao nibs are rich in antioxidants due to the presence of phytonutrients. The antioxidants help in absorbing the free radicals that have a degenerative effect on your body and lead to numerous health troubles including increased risk of coronary disease and strokes.
3. Cacao nibs benefits include improved muscle and nerve function
Magnesium, an essential mineral found in abundance in cacao nibs is responsible for about 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Cacao nibs contain a high amount of magnesium thus supplying you with an adequate amount of it which is essential for muscle and nerve function. It also helps in keeping your heart rhythm steady. Thus, improved nerve function and muscle structure are the major cacao nibs benefits.
Cacao Nibs Recipes
Here are some delicious and healthy ways to include cacao nibs in your diet and enjoy the numerous cacao nibs benefits.
1. Cacao nibs tea
Enjoy a cup of warm cacao nibs tea and give your mood an instant boost. This tea with a subtle flavor of chocolate is delicious as well as healthy.
What will you need?
- A cup of water
- Two tablespoons of organic cacao nibs
- A cinnamon stick
- Nutmeg (optional)
How to prepare?
- Boil water for about ten minutes
- Add cacao nibs and cinnamon to it. For a strong flavor boil the tea for long
- After that, add nutmeg if you want to
- Then strain the tea in a mug and relish its awesome taste.
2. Coconut and cacao nibs pancake
Pamper your taste buds with this fantastic coconut and cacao nibs pancake.
What will you need?
- One teaspoon of cacao nibs
- Half a cup of coconut flour
- Seven eggs (only white portion)
- One-fourth cup of water
- One tablespoon of hazelnut butter
- One-fourth teaspoon of baking powder
- One teaspoon of unpasteurized honey and a tablespoon of cacao nibs for garnish
How to prepare?
- Put coconut flour, water, egg whites, baking powder, and butter in a food processor
- Blend all the ingredients
- After that, add cacao nibs and mix them with a spoon
- Coat a non-stick pan with a cooking spray and it over medium flame
- Spoon out an adequate quantity of pancake batter onto griddle
- Turn the pancake and cook it
- Similarly, cook other pancakes
- Serve them warm garnished with cacao nibs and honey
3. Cacao Coffee Banana Smoothie
Enjoy a happy and fresh morning with this cacao coffee banana smoothie.
What will you need?
- One frozen banana
- Two tablespoons of raw cacao nibs
- Four tablespoons of coconut milk
- Half a cup of strongly brewed coffee
- One and a half tablespoons of agave
- A handful of ice
How to prepare?
- To a blender add all the ingredients
- Blend them to get a smooth mixture
- Pour it in a glass and enjoy.
Side-effects of Cacao Nibs
The list of cacao nibs benefits is long; hence it is a great idea to include raw cacao nibs in your diet. However, they do have some side-effects too. Excessive consumption of cacao nibs may result in several health issues. Following are the side-effects of cacao nibs:
- Presence of caffeine and theobromine may lead to sleeplessness, anxiety, etc.
- Excess consumption may cause addiction
- It may also cause depression, mood swings, and nightmares
- Expecting mother must avoid cacao nibs as they may lead to miscarriage or premature labor
Cacao nibs are indeed nutritious and healthy. If you are not ready for anything bitter, then you may try sweetened cacao nibs. Include them in your favorite recipes and enjoy the numerous cacao nibs benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do raw cacao nibs contain sugar?
No, raw, unprocessed cacao nibs are sugar-free. These taste bitter
2. Do cacao nibs contain caffeine?
Yes, cacao nibs do contain caffeine, but the cacao nibs caffeine content is not as high as in coffee.
3. Is Consuming too much cacao nibs bad for health?
Cacao nibs are rich in stimulants. Consuming excess amount of cacao nibs affects your sleeping pattern and can cause a variety of health issues like anxiety, depression, mood swings, etc.
4. Are cacao nibs keto friendly?
Cacao nibs are high in fiber and low in calories; hence, these are good for keto diets meant for weight loss. Further, these provide you with an adequate amount of nutrition and mitigate the side-effects of the keto diet.
