Chocolate: super-food in and out

We all have our favourite type and we are spoiled for choice these days. Chocolatiers have spent years perfecting their signature flavours suiting every pallet. I’m sure you’ve also noticed a comeback for cacao in raw form too. From smoothies, to bars and even skincare, the mighty super-food is used far and wide, and we all love it!

Did you know:

One of the many ‘bliss’ chemicals found in chocolate is the lipid anandamide. It’s there in our brain when we feel great. Anandamide is also called “chocolate amphetamine” as it causes changes in blood pressure and blood-sugar levels, leading to feelings of excitement and alertness.

The ‘real’ chocolate – Food for the Gods

It all starts with cocoa beans produced in pods from the cacao tree. The word Cacao is derived from Theobroma, which literally means “Food of the Gods”. This is the basis for all chocolate.

Chocolate for skin

Raw cacao is known to be one of the top anti-oxidants natural foods. Did you know Cacao has over 40 Times the Anti-oxidants of Blueberries?

Cacao is the purest form of ‘chocolate’, although bitter in taste, it contains over 300 compounds including:

• Protein
• Fat
• Carbohydrates
• Fibre
• Iron
• Zinc
• Copper
• calcium

Often cacao butter is present in chocolate too, this is the fattiest part of the fruit and makes up the outer lining of the inside of a single cacao bean, it is also sweeter in taste.

Cocoa powder, wildly available and known, although processed can still retain a large amount of anti-oxidants and is still excellent for your heart, skin, blood pressure, and even your stress levels.

A past favourite

In its earliest forms, the Mayans used cocoa to create a ritual beverage that was shared during marriage ceremonies, providing one of the first known links between chocolate and romance.

When over processed, cocoa can lose its beneficial properties, and when non- organic, it can often contain toxic chemicals which are used in the processing of the beans.
Choosing organic chocolate with cocoa solids of 72% or over, ensures the best quality and taste. Always read the labels! 

Chocolate on your skin

Our intensely nourishing Chocolate Mask offers a great home Spa experience.

Rich in Cacao, great source of anti-oxidants and vitamin E for the skin, and with aromas of chocolate orange, it really is irresistible! A great gift for you or a lovely treat that treats!

Includes argan oil to nourish, refine and detox pores; rose to restore and balance the skin; and baobab - the 21st century superfood to gently exfoliate and deliver a burst of antioxidant protection.

SHOP CHOCOLATE MASK 

Why our skin benefits from the antioxidants in chocolate

You’ll hear this term a lot in skincare and foods alike.

Anti-oxidants are naturally occurring vitamins and minerals needed to fight free radicals.
We all need them both in our foods (found in vibrate fruit and veg) and in skincare.

Free radicals are unstable molecules in the environment that damage your skin. These are found everywhere! From the air around us (pollution) water, food, medicines we take etc  They are unstable due to the lack of electrons form their outer shell; they need anti-oxidants to stabilize and become ‘whole’ again.

Anti-oxidants can help protect your skin from pigmentation and fine lines and wrinkle by protecting it from UV rays and inflammation.