Want to keep your immune system strong and healthy? Then Cacao might just be what you’re looking for. Packed with antioxidants, nutrients and minerals that have been proven to supercharge immunity, this tasty superfood could help give your overall health a boost!
What is immunity and why is it so important?
Your immune system protects your body from a harmful environment, and is essential for survival. It’s one of the most complicated systems in your body, with a bunch of different organs, cells and proteins playing their part. And not only is it among the most complex, it’s also one of the most important.
When our immune system runs smoothly, we don’t notice it. But it’s constantly working to fight off nasty pathogens that might come into contact with us on a daily basis. It’s not the only reason we might get sick, but a compromised or weakened immune system certainly exposes us to a range of illnesses.
Maintaining a strong immune system is essential to ensuring your overall health, and there are a few ways that you can help keep it in good shape. Reducing stress and getting a good night’s sleep are good places to start, but smart dietary choices are also a key factor. Cacao is a great way to boost your immune system and give it the best chance of fighting those microscopic bad guys.
How Cacao boosts immunity
Full of flavanols
Flavonoids can be found in fruit and vegetables and have been shown to decrease the rate of immune-system decay. These vitamin-like substances help your immune system’s memory and allow it to remember invading bugs and germs that it has encountered in the past, so that it can fight them off in the future. Flavonols are a subset of flavonoids and Cacao is full of them.
Rich in energy-boosting magnesium
Magnesium helps to control lots of our bodies’ chemical reactions, regulating blood pressure as well as strengthening muscles and bones. It’s essential for the health of our entire body. It also keeps the immune system strong, stimulating the entire spectrum of immune system responses. Raw Cacao is a great source of magnesium, containing a whopping 450mg per hundred grams.
Packed with zinc
The importance of zinc for plants and animals has been known for some time, but it’s impact on human immunity has only really been known for a few decades. Studies have shown that zinc is a key element of a healthy human immune system and is crucial for the normal development and maintenance of cells that influence the whole range of the body’s immune functions.
Cacao is an excellent natural source of zinc, containing over six and a half milligrams per 100g, which means that just a small amount per day will set you well on your way to the recommended eleven milligram daily intake.
Get your immune-strengthening Cacao
Cacao is super easy to add into your regular diet. Not only is it totally delicious, with a nutty, bitter taste, but it’s also very versatile. From trail mix and protein bars to smoothies and hot chocolate – Cacao nibs and powder can be added to all your favourite recipes.