At first glance the words Cocoa Butter and natural health don’t seem to go together. When we think of Cocoa Butter or Theobroma Cacao L., as it is officially known, we think of either Chocolate or skin care.

A host of health benefits from Chocolate

Chocolate isn’t a typical food on most healthy shopping lists but is becoming a common addition. The Aztecs named this rich butter ‘Food of The Gods’ and for very good reasons. They knew that it not only tasted great but also helped heal skin conditions, elevate mood, and keep both heart and body healthy. Who knew that a simple nut butter could be high in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, beneficial fats and other health promoting substances?

Cocoa Butter can help you on the outside

• Skin Problems. Cocoa Butter is rich in emollients that help moisturise, nourish, and protect your skin from exposure to sun, wind and environmental toxins. This butter, when applied to your skin, has the unique ability to neutralise the free radicals that cause aging and wrinkles. Cocoa Butter is also loaded with CMP or Cocoa Mass Polyphenols. Tthis substance is known to inhibit the production of Immumoglobin lgE, which in turn helps to heal skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema. It also contains vitamin E, which can help reduce inflammation, prevent and heal stretch marks from pregnancy or weight gain.
• Burns and scarring. Cocoa Butter contains fatty acids that make it perfect for healing scar tissue from burns. Skin that has suffered from burns needs to retain moisture to heal while getting enough vitamins and fats to grow new skin. Scar tissue or keloid scars are made up of tissue that is hard and rigid. Cocoa Butter can soften this type of tissue and if massaged into the skin can actually break up and lesson the appearance of the scar. It can also promote the growth of collagen and elastin, prime components of skin health.

The benefits of adding Chocolate to your diet

• Heart disease. Who would have thought that consuming a fat could help your heart health and cholesterol levels? The same CMP or Cocoa Mass Polyphenols that help heal the skin can also prevent heart disease. Cocoa Butter is high in both Oleic and Stearic acids that help keep arteries from hardening raise HDL (good cholesterol) and lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.
• Mood disorders. This nifty butter actually makes you feel good by raising your serotonin and endorphin levels. Cocoa Butter also has high levels of magnesium that when taken regularly can help reduce PMS moods and symptoms. Makes sense that some women crave chocolate during this time.
• Arthritis. Cocoa Butter has both anti-inflammatory properties and CMP, Cocoa Mass Polyphenols that play a big part in helping the body reduce inflammation from arthritis. Massaging the butter into the skin on and around arthritis-affected joints can help lesson both the inflammation and pain.
• Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. All the components of Cocoa Butter join together to help regulate excessive T-Cell activity, which is the root cause of these immune system disorders.

Cocoa Butter  is so much more than just a tasty treat. Consider adding a bit of Cocoa Butter to your diet in either the raw form or in the form of dark chocolate (make sure it is at least 70% Cocoa). What better gift for your loved one at any time of year? How can Cocoa Butter help you be healthier?  'Ask a naturopath' for more information, the forms raw cacao comes in how to use each one.