Bulletproof Cacao Recipe
Ingredients:
1 tsp organic raw cacao
1 tsp – 2 tablespoons good quality MCT oil (you can work your way up)
1-2 tablespoons grass-fed, unsalted butter or 1-2 teaspoons of grass-fed ghee
1 tablespoon Collagen or Gelatin (optional)
1 cup boiling water
Method:
* Place all ingredients in a blender.
* Blend for 20-30 seconds until the fats emulsify and it looks like a creamy latte. Enjoy!
You can swap the butter for cacao butter for a dairy free version and a richer chocolate taste! You can also sweeten with a little honey.
Cacao Benefits
If you are trying to reduce your coffee intake Cacao can be a great substitute. Organic raw cacao is extremely nutrient dense, containing high amounts of:
iron
copper
manganese
zinc
magnesium
Whilst Cacao contains little to no caffeine (stay with me coffee drinkers), it does contain a compound that is closely related called theobromine. Theobromine acts as a gentle stimulant and can provide a similar feeling of euphoria and contentment and (added bonus) it gives you a smoother, crash free boost of energy. Great news for anyone who is left feeling nervous or jittery after a coffee.
It doesn't stop there...
Cacao triggers a cascade of amino acids and neurotransmitters, including monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors. Say what?
These allow neurotransmitters such as serotonin to circulate in the brain, as well as phenylethylamine the chemical produced when we fall in love (awwww). Cacao strengthens these neural pathways, encouraging the body to produce chemicals like serotonin on its own - win win!
So what are you waiting for!
MCT Oil
“MCT” stands for “medium-chain triglycerides.” MCTs contain fatty acids that naturally occur in coconut oil, palm oil, goat milk and breast milk.
Your body turns MCTs into molecules called ketones, which help burn fat, curb cravings and power your brain. They bypass enzymatic digestion and are absorbed directly into what is called the “portal vein,” which transports blood to the liver from various organs.
Consuming healthy fats increases satiety so that you feel fuller faster, and stay full longer. Because of their rapid metabolism in the liver, medium-chain fatty acids like the ones found in MCT oil may not contribute to fat accumulation as much as other dietary fatty acids. However, they still have the same satiating effect.
It doesn’t stop there, dietary fats stimulate digestion more than carbohydrates and lead to greater contractions in the gut, as well as having antimicrobial benefits. Caprylic acid (C10) is known for its immune-supporting effects which is due in part to the way it impacts the gut microbiome. Medium-chain fatty acids such as caprylic acid can create an inhospitable environment for bacteria or directly impact the growth of bad bacteria.
Want happy hormones? One of the most important functions of fats in the body is their role in creating hormones. Adipose tissue, otherwise known as the dreaded body fat, is actually vital to hormone production. When your body does not have enough fat cells, your risk of insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood clots increases. Yes, these are the same symptoms associated with having too many fat cells! This is another reason why balance in the body is so crucial to overall health, and why MCT oil could help.