Use them in place of chocolate chips in cookie and brownie recipes. In essence, when someone eats cacao nibs, they are eating 100% cacao beans. Cacao nibs are actually the bean after it has been roasted, taken out of its husk and broken into little pieces. Cacao nibs are a healthier option than the chocolate chips they often replace in recipes. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. However, cacao nibs are just pure cacao beans, so contrary to most other chocolate products, they contain no added sugars. Cacao nibs, also known as cocoa nibs, are crumbled bits of dried cacao beans, which grow on the cacao tree. Finally, the beans will be ground down into smaller pieces, which are what we call “nibs.”. Technically seeds, these are removed from the pods and fermented with yeast for 5-10 days in closed containers. Cacao nibs are cacao beans that have been cracked, fermented and broken into smaller pieces. "Add raw cacao powder to smoothies or sprinkle cacao nibs into coconut yogurt for a treat." Cacao nibs contain healthy fats and other compounds that can increase the levels of the hormones serotonin and dopamine in your brain, which impacts your mood. Even per ounce-serving, this still represents an impressive 48.4 % of the RDA. . Theobromine-enriched cocoa also impacts blood pressure. Yes, cacao nibs health benefits actually … Cacao nibs are cacao beans that have been roasted, separated from their husks, and broken into smaller pieces. Pure cacao nibs are naturally high in fibre, protein, and healthy fats, yet low in sugar. Cacao nibs contain many antioxidants. Per serving, cacao contains more heart-healthy flavonoids than red wine. Cacao nibs are chock-full of magnesium, fiber and potent antioxidants. These flavonoids have been linked to improved heart health. I prefer the powder over the nibs. However, researchers believe that these compounds can have beneficial effects on our body. April 29, 2011, Harri Daniel, Comments Off on Benefits Of Cacao Nibs. Sneaky serving tip: Dark chocolate can be bitter, so DuBoise recommends balancing it with sweet dishes. Cacao nibs are the raw, dehydrated and crushed cocoa bean, prior to adding sugar and milk to make it delicious. Yogurt, fruit and cocoa nibs are a good combination!! Benefits Of Cacao Nibs. Benefits Of Raw Cacao Nibs. They are also a brilliant plant-based source of iron; making it a great addition to the vegan diet. Some of these include muscular contraction, vasodilation, blood pressure and insulin regulation (3). Cocoa Butter 101: Nutrition Profile, Health Benefits and Tasty Recipes, Mix cacao nibs, nuts, and berries into Greek yogurt to create a healthy dessert, Use them to add “crunch” to any baking products you make. However, some plant foods contain this mineral too, and among these, cacao is the very best source. With only 130 calories per serving, these treats make a healthy addition to any diet. The many benefits of eating cacao nibs include their ability to help lose weight, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, and stabilize mood, among others.. Fiber may also be important for the health of our gut microbiota, and cacao consumption beneficially affects this microbial colony in animal studies (8, 9). Generally speaking, many experts hold the opinion that most people should reduce our sugar intake. It also benefits your brain, … Cacao is usually consumed as nibs or powder. Amongst other benefits, theobromine acts as a stimulant that can help to improve focus and mental clarity (18). susanjanegolding/Flickr. Cacao Nibs Health Benefits. Here are a few other ways to use this healthy chocolate candy alternative: Antioxidants and Redox Signaling: “Cocoa and Chocolate in Human Health and Disease.”, Centers for Disease Control: “LDL and HDL Cholesterol: “Bad” and “Good” Cholesterol.”, European Journal of Cancer: “Role of oxygen free radicals in cancer development.”, Harvard Health Blog: “Your brain on chocolate.”, Harvard Women’s Health Watch: “Foods that fight inflammation.”, National Geographic: “Love Water for Chocolate.”, Wexner School of Medicine, The Ohio State University: “Myth or fact? While cacao is a source of caffeine, it does not contain very much. Heart Health. While they can be grown in other regions, the majority grow in a narrow belt that extends ten degrees on both sides of the equator. Our hearts and particularly our blood flow aren't always the first things on our … However, just how much of the claims are true? For those who are looking for a healthy snack, then these crunchy chocolate nibs are an excellent option. Cacao nibs contain a substantial source of dietary magnesium, and a little one-ounce serving provides 31% of the RDA (1). This article examines seven interesting health benefits of cacao nibs and takes a look at their full nutrition profile. Cacao nibs benefits include improved muscle and nerve function. If you eat cacao nibs, you will be swimming in fiber. Cacao nibs are the raw material used to make both cocoa powder and dark chocolate – so they have similar antioxidant benefits to those two superfoods. Cacao beans are native to the upper African Amazon region. Like other forms of cacao beans, cacao nibs contain a measurable amount of caffeine and can produce the same side effects. Firstly, cacao nibs are not a magical food that will supercharge our health by themselves, so watch out for exaggerated and over-hyped claims. Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a critical role in human health, and increased intake is associated with positive health outcomes. Instead, opt for high-quality dark chocolate that contains these benefits—they recommend Dick Taylor and Zenbunni. These antioxidants can help reduce cell damage in your body, which helps prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and cancer. Cacao nibs are one of the most concentrated sources of dietary polyphenols (10). Cacao nibs are a highly nutritious chocolate product made from crushed cocoa beans. Theobromine has some other interesting effects too, and research suggests that it may improve blood pressure and HDL levels. The slight sweetness of the whipped coconut topping mixes with the nibs and makes them taste… Read more ». Cacao nibs are made from the “beans” of the Theobroma cacao plant. For example, you can enhance chocolate bark recipes by adding a small amount of cacao nibs.Â. Cacao, or theobroma cacao, is the source of dark, natural chocolate. Cacao nibs are part of the same bean used in chocolate candy production. The serving size for cacao powder is about 2.5 tbsps. Cacao nibs contain several interesting compounds that may positively affect our mood and feeling. These compounds include L-tryptophan (a precursor to serotonin) and β-phenylethylamine, known as PEA (14). As you can probably tell from this article, cacao nibs are extremely nutrient-dense. Theobromine has a similar (but milder) effect on our body. A lot of ongoing research is happening on polyphenols, and there are still many things we do not know. 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