Cocoa Beans: How To Make Raw Cocoa & Chia Seed Energy Balls
Cocoa beans are high in flavanols, theobromine, and phenylethylamine and 300 other helpful compunds. Antioxidant rich Cocoa Beans contain many healthy ingredients that work together for optimal benefits. First appearing in the Amazon basin these seeds grow only in moist, warm and shady climates. These beans are primarily grown in Africa, Asia and, Central and South America. They are produced by the plant Theobroma cacao, which translated, means “food of the Gods”. A fitting name, given the numerous health benefits provided by cocoa beans. You diet should be focused on a plant based system that keeps your body operating at optimum performance.
Antidepressant
Considered to be nature’s anti-depressant cocoa beans contain dopamine, phenylethylamine (PEA) and serotonin, which are used to promote positive mental health and moods. They also contain monoamine oxidase inhibitors and amino acid tryptophan. Monoamine oxidase (MOA) inhibitors work to keep dopamine and serotonin in the bloodstream longer, which could ease depression and promote feelings of well being. Tryptophan is important in the body’s production of serotonin.
Balances Cholesterol Levels
An investigative research study has shown that cocoa has hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effects on both glucose and cholesterol levels, respectively. A diet containing it has also shown a reduction in triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and glucose level. It has also demonstrated a noteworthy rise in the levels of healthy HDL cholesterol in the test subjects.
Energy Booster
Cocoa beans reduce anxiety while simultaneously promoting alertness. A cup of cocoa can provide the same energy as a cup of coffee. With fewer stimulants in cocoa, you won’t experience that sudden crash after like you can experience with coffee and energy drinks.
Reduces Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Cocoa has been shown to provide calming effects on people who suffer from chronic fatigue. The attenuating effects of cocoa are attributed to the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, anandamide, and phenylethylamine in the brain, which exert protective effects from oxidative stress on the neuronal cells and helps in combating chronic fatigue syndrome.
Skin Care
Cocoa has also been found to supportgood skin health. Research findings suggest that the consumption of flavonol-rich cocoa helps in decreasing the effects of UV- induced erythema and reducing skin roughness and scaling. It also aids in enhancing skin elasticity, hydration, and density. Another study confirmed that epicatechin present in cocoa aids in elevating the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, stimulating the healthy flow of blood in the dermal tissues, and contributing to endogenous photo-protection. It is used in the preparation of various skin care products.
Sun Pyramid Health has a healthy certified organic cocoa bean product available. With only natural ingredients, you can be sure you are not getting any artificial pesticides or other harmful chemicals added to the mixture. Naturally grown cocoa beans provide a more complete nutritional profile and process the nutrients it receives.
Check out this recipe for Raw Cocoa & Chia Seed Energy Balls. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Ingredients for approx. 30 pieces:
250g or 1 1/2 cups of dried figs
100g raw cocoa beans or 1 cup (raw) cocoa nibs
80g or 5 tablespoons of chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (to taste)
120g or 1 cup of almonds
You’ll need a food processor to prepare these energy balls.
- At first, clean the cocoa beans of their thin skin: this is the longest procedure of this recipe. It’s best to carefully crack their skin with a mortar and pestle. Of course, the first couple of beans were shattered… It was a nice relaxing afternoon task, that I finally finished while chatting with visiting friends.
- Put the dried figs in the food processor. Start pulsing at first, then process continuously until a thick paste forms. Toss the cocoa bens, chia seeds and vanilla extract.
- If you have a high performance food processor, just add almonds to fig mixture and you’re ready! This paste is much more thick than that of the previous energy bars, my food processor wasn’t quite up to the task. So I shredded the almonds separately, and processed it with the fig mixture in portions.
- Take a tablespoonful of the mixture and roll it into a small ball gently with the palms of your hands. You can prepare these like the other energy bars: in a baking form lined with baking paper.
- When preparing these balls as a dessert or a snack for guests, you can roll them in powdered xylitol to turn them white or xylitol-cinnamon powder to spice things up. Chilli flavoured raw cocoa powder is also worth a try.
About nutritional values. All this cocoa-chia yummyness contains approx. 150g of carbs, 60g of protein (at least 17g complete). If you cut this into 8 bars, that would mean 19g CH and 7,5g protein /bar. Not bad for a vegan energy bar! (For the sake of comparison: store-bought energy bars contain 15-20g of protein, but are usually based on some protein powder, e.g. whey isolate.) Chia seeds and cocoa beans add a lot of minerals to all this good stuff.
