Dairy products have been valued for a really long time as the richest source of calcium which promotes teeth and bone health. However, newest studies show that milk can actually seriously endanger our health.

Namely, dairy products such as chocolate, cheese, and milk are high in fat, so they provide high amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol.

Moreover, they are the biggest contributor of estrogen intake, which in excessive amounts can cause numerous severe health issues, including thyroid dysfunction, mood swings, headaches, increased cancer and stroke risk, headaches, hypoglycemia and gallbladder disease.

Moreover, dairy has also been associated with the increased risk of prostate, ovarian and breast cancer.

Furthermore, even though we just love chocolate, there are some other facts that you should review. Namely, even though we purchase “milk chocolate”, milk is not listed as its main ingredient. Instead, it is sugar.

Sugar-high foods lead to high blood sugar and insulin resistance which further on cause type 2 diabetes. Moreover, according to researchers, sugar has a negative effect on the abilities such as memory and learning.

A study showed that only after 2 months of consuming a diet rich in refined sugar and saturated fat, the ability to learn and remember tasks in animals has been significantly reduced.

Another important aspect is the glycemic index (GI). It measures the way a carb affects the blood sugar after its consumption. Thus, a GI at or below 55 indicates that it will slowly, but steadily elevate the blood sugar levels.

A GI at or above 70 shows that the food will lead to an extremely sharp rise in blood sugar. Therefore, not only diabetes patients but you should all try and consume foods with a low GI in order to maintain the balance of the blood sugar.

In general, the lower the GI, the more gradually it affects the body. So, low-fat yogurt has a GI of 14, barley of about 25, and milk chocolate has a glycemic index of 50, which is able to cause a serious imbalance in the blood sugar levels!

Hence, it would be great if you could replace milk chocolate with something as tasty, but tastier, wouldn’t it?

Well, cacao powder can be your miraculous ingredient! Namely, it is derived from cacao beans that are milled at a low temperature, and do not contain additives. It actually keeps the original nutrients of the plant and provides numerous health advantages.

These are some remarkable properties of cocoa:

• Acts as a natural antioxidant
• No sugar
• No cholesterol
• It has a glycemic index of 0!
• Rich in dietary fiber
• High in magnesium
• Rich in iron and potassium
• Extremely low in saturated and trans fats
• No sodium

Moreover, its taste reminds you of chocolate, as it is chocolate actually!

Today, we will suggest an incredibly delicious cacao snack which will become your favorite dessert, and it will provide lots of energy and healthy nutrients! Moreover, its provides strong anti-inflammatory properties!

This is how to prepare it:

Pistachio Bark with Cacao, Coconut Oil, and Raspberries –Recipe

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cacao powder
• ¼ chopped pistachios
• ½ cup of melted coconut oil
• ½ cup favorite mixed fruit/nuts (you can use raisins, raspberries, coconut, and pumpkin seeds)
• ¼ cup maple syrup

Method of preparation:

In a bowl, mix the maple syrup and the coconut oil, and add the cacao powder. Stir well and pour the combination in a pan, on baking paper, and sprinkle with nuts and fruit. Freeze it for half an hour.

Enjoy!

Sources:
http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/vegdiets/health-concerns-about-dairy-products
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDDQmRWoGuJ/?taken-by=secretsquirrelfood
http://www.womenlivingnaturally.com/articlepage.php?id=72
https://www.thehersheycompany.com/brands/hersheys-kisses/milk-chocolate.aspx?cat=icon
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306452202001239
http://www.livestrong.com/article/455377-glycemic-index-of-dark-chocolate/
http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/gi_diet/glycaemic_index_tables.htm
http://navitasnaturals.com/product/441/Cacao-Powder.html
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/933596/2
http://www.nature.com/news/testing-magnesium-s-brain-boosting-effects-1.11665