Maca, Flaxseed, Chlorella, and Cacao Nibs

Maca has been grown and consumed by South Americans for thousand of years. Maca can enhance our immune system, increase brain capability, and improves our bodily functions. It can revitalize men and women of middle and older age. Andeans have been using maca root to increase their energy, to alleviate physical and mental tiredness, and to enhance their daily intake with various nutrients. In addition, it can also help us get rid the problems caused by ageing, and can prevent and cure osteoporosis and anaemia. It also regulates women's hormonal irregularities: menstruation, eases period pains, alleviates menopausal symptoms.

Flaxseed is also known as linseed, and has been consumed by human being for thousands of years. It is a great source for Omega 3. Omega 3 has super polyunsaturated Essential Fatty Acid, which has many benefits in our daily lives. It is known as an Essential Fatty Acid because these oils are vital for normal body functions such as renewal of cells balancing hormones, repairing muscles and tissue as well as many other essential processes in the body. Omega 3 is referred to as essential as it must be ingested in food directly as the body cannot synthesise it from other foods not containing Omega 3. If our bodies are short of Omega 3 and EFA, we could have dry flaky skin, weight increase, poor concentration or attention deficiency, lack of energy, continually getting colds, Arthritic type pain, high blood pressure.

Chlorella is a single-cell green algae which is part of Chlorophyta family. There is an obvious mis-spelling: chorella. It is spherical in shape, about 2 to 10 um in diameter. Chlorella can carry away metabolic wastes from our blood because its fibrous material can bind with heavy metals and pesticides which can accumulate in our blood. A clean bloodstream with an abundance of red blood cells to carry oxygen is essential for our body to function properly. In addition Chlorella is rich in Chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is very similar to hemoglobin, a protein found in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin can carry oxygen thus "fueling" all over our body.

Cacao Nibs are from Cacao Seeds, and are made by peeling and breaking the cacao seeds. In fact cacao nibs are the middle thing prior to chocolate. There are two types of cacao beans. One is from roasted cacao beans, and the other is from raw cacao beans. it is worthwhile to mention that cacao seeds usually will go through fermentation process. They are placed to wooden crates or baskets with banana leaves in between and on top to enable an optimal fermentation. The duration of the fermentation depends on the variety and is from 2 to more than 7 days. The length of the fermentation also affects the aroma, so if well-developed aroma is wanted the seeds are fermentation for a longer time. The fermentation process transforms the flavor to what we associate with cocoa and chocolate.

Posted in Health on Tuesday 8th of July 2008 02:11:25 AM