Collagen, Cacao, Chia Seeds and Coconut butter, what more could you ask for? This fab combo forms the base for our Cacao Latte recipe.

Combo of gems for sure, ingredients that play a great role in maintaining gut health.

Besides the ingredients mentioned above, this recipe also includes plant-based milk of your choosing – we recommended coconut, almond, hemp or tiger nut milk, or you could add a mix of you favourites.

To sweeten the latte we opted for medjool dates, this deliciously sweet fruit doesn’t always like to be put in a blender, so we found that if you soak them in a little hot water first, they soften perfectly and will blend into the mixture without any troubles.

Dates are just an option though, you could opt for honey, monk fruit or erythritol instead, depending on you dietary requirements.

Then there is the coconut butter, this adds extra healthy fat to your latte, and the bonus of this is that fat is what makes you latte creamy and foamy. Ghee or grass fe butter will also work well if you are not dairy free.

Another optional extra is maca. Maca is an incredible superfood with a delicious flavour that compliments cacao really well.

Below we will take a look at some of the amazing benefits these ingredients have to offer.

Gut Healing Ingredients

Collagen

Did you know that the guts connective tissue contains collagen? This means collagens role is to strengthen and support the lining of your digestive tract.

Why is this so important? Well, if this protective lining is damaged, it can cause Leaky Gut Syndrome

This can be detrimental to health as leaky gut syndrome allows food particles to pass into the bloodstream, this results in inflammation and can lead to disease. To find out more about leaky gut and what can cause it, read our article “Do You Have Leaky Gut.”

Back to collagen. When one increases collagen intake, whether through supplements, collagen peptides or bone broth, the collagen with help to build up and strengthen the gastrointestinal lining which will lead to improved gut health.

It is important to note the collagen alone won’t heal leaky gut, it is vital to make changes in our diets and lifestyle in order to begin the healing process.

Try out our free 7-day Gut Healing meal plan or you can get our extensive 8-week Gut Heal & Nourish Program and begin you journey to optimum health.

Chia Seeds

We love chia seeds! These high fibre, super seeds are one of your guts best friends, here is why…

Just 28 grams of chia seeds contains 12 grams of carbs, at first glance that may sound crazy, but it gets better! 11 of those 12 grams are in fact fibre, which you don’t digest. This fibre feeds your gut flora which helps to thrive and this is critical in maintaining gut health.

Coconut Butter

Another great high fibre food that is also rich in good fats. Coconut butter is also great for boosting the immune system, this is because it contains lauric acid which is a 12 carbon medium-chain length fatty acid.

This provides immune building components that help the body fight off harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and infections like Candida.

Superfood Ingredients

Cacao

Raw cacao is rather different to the cocoa powder you buy in the aisle. ‘Cocoa’ is no longer in its raw form, it is chemically processed and roasted, this kills off a large quantity of antioxidants and flavanols.

Another point to be aware of is non-organic cocoa is usually treated with heavy doses of toxic pesticides and chemical and can also be genetically modified (GMO).

Lets move onto the positives though, raw cacao powder is loaded with goodness. In fact, cacao contains 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries. Talk about amazing! It is also a rich source of Iron and Calcium, this makes it a great food for anyone following a plant-based diet.

One of the greatest things cacao or chocolate is known for though is its ability to boost our mood. This is due to it containing serotonin, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylethylamine. These are the neurotransmitters that leave you feeling relaxed and happy. We’d say its one of natures greatest happy pills…

Maca

Maca is another incredible superfood that has become a huge trend over the last few years, and there is a good reason for this.

Surprisingly maca is actually a cruciferous vegetable which means that it is related to broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale. The root is the main edible part of the plant and is typically dried and used in powder form. This makes it a great addition to smoothies, breakfast bowls, and drinks such as this one.

Here is why maca has grown so much popularity in recent years. It is highly nutritious, being a great source of protein, and also contains fibre. It is also rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, copper and iron, as well as many bioactive plant compounds, namely, glucosinolates and polyphenols.

This superfood is great at boosting the mood and is known to help reduce anxiety and symptoms related to depression. Some of this is due to the fact that maca contains a compound called flavonoids.

“Maca root helps balance our hormones and due to an over-abundance of environmental estrogens, most people’s hormones are a bit out of whack. Maca stimulates and nourishes the hypothalamus and pituitary glands which are the “master glands” of the body. These glands actually regulate the other glands, so when in balance they can bring balance to the adrenal, thyroid, pancreas, ovarian and testicular glands.
Maca root has been shown to be beneficial for all sorts of hormonal problems including PMS, menopause, and hot flashes.”
– Wellness Mama