How Much is Too Much Ceremonial Cacao?
If you’ve ever found yourself wired from too many cups of coffee, you know the feeling: a pounding heart, jittery nerves, and fast-paced chatter that your colleagues gently nudge you to dial down. Fortunately, with Soma Cacao, that’s not an issue. Its natural balance provides an energising yet calming experience, helping you maintain focus without overstimulation.
In this blog, we’ll explore why Soma Cacao offers a smoother experience than coffee and provide research-backed recommendations for optimising your cacao consumption to align with your health goals.
1. Why Cacao is a Better Alternative to Coffee
Cacao contains theobromine, a gentle stimulant that offers sustained energy without the peaks and crashes associated with caffeine. While theobromine shares similarities with caffeine, including improved focus and mood, it works more gradually, reducing the risk of jitteriness and anxiety (Rusconi & Conti, 2010). Unlike coffee, which can disrupt cortisol balance and increase heart rate, cacao promotes relaxation while keeping you alert—making it an ideal companion for mindful mornings (Lippi & Franchini, 2010).
Many users report feeling satisfied with just one cup of cacao in the morning. This can be attributed to its appetite-suppressing qualities, thanks to its high concentration of fibre, magnesium, and healthy fats (MDPI, 2024). Cacao provides essential nutrients that stabilise blood sugar levels and reduce the need for frequent snacks, making it a suitable alternative for those trying to avoid energy dips throughout the day.
2. The Potency of Cacao: Balancing Your Consumption
Despite its gentle energy, cacao is potent. Excessive consumption can strain the adrenal glands and kidneys, especially if consumed in large doses over time (Fraga et al., 2011). It’s important to enjoy cacao mindfully, ensuring your body receives it optimally. Here are our top recommendations:
Daily Dosage Guidelines
- Stick to 30g per day: This provides the full benefits of cacao without overstimulating your system.
- Ceremonial doses of 45–60g should be reserved for special occasions, such as meditation or group ceremonies, and not consumed more than once a week.
These recommendations align with research suggesting that while cacao offers numerous health benefits, moderation is essential to avoid overstimulation (Rusconi & Conti, 2010).
3. Hydration and Ritual Practices
Because cacao contains stimulants like theobromine, hydration is essential to support kidney function and ensure smooth detoxification. We recommend drinking a glass of filtered water before and after your cacao to stay hydrated. Hydration also helps maintain energy balance throughout the day, preventing dehydration-related fatigue that can sometimes accompany stimulant use.
4. Coffee vs. Cacao: A Mindful Approach to Consumption
For those who enjoy both coffee and cacao, alternating between the two can prevent over-reliance on stimulants. We suggest cacao-only days to give your adrenal glands time to rest. Mixing both cacao and coffee in one day could overstimulate the nervous system, reducing the calming effects of cacao. If you’re transitioning from coffee to cacao, replacing one coffee a day with cacao can ease withdrawal symptoms.
5. Enhancing Your Cacao with Herbs and Adaptogens
Mixing calming herbs and medicinal mushrooms into your cacao can amplify its grounding qualities. Consider adding ingredients like:
- Lavender or chamomile for relaxation
- Ashwagandha to manage stress
- Reishi mushrooms to enhance immune function
These additions align with research showing that adaptogens complement cacao by supporting adrenal health and reducing cortisol levels (MDPI, 2024).
6. Sweeteners and Fat Pairings
While it’s tempting to add sugar or sweeteners, we recommend keeping added sugars to a minimum. Cacao’s natural bitterness pairs well with healthy fats like coconut milk or almond butter, which not only temper the stimulating effects but also enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (Beckett, 2008).
If you ever feel overstimulated from cacao, root vegetables, brown rice, or avocado can help ground your energy and balance blood sugar levels. Pairing cacao with fats also promotes steady energy, preventing the rapid spikes and crashes that sometimes occur with sweetened drinks.
7. A Nourishing Daily Ritual
One of the reasons Soma Cacao feels different from other beverages is that it transforms consumption into a nourishing ritual rather than an automatic habit. It’s not just about getting a quick energy boost but about enhancing mental clarity, supporting heart health, and maintaining balance throughout the day (Fraga et al., 2011).
Most users find that they only need one cup per day to feel satisfied, with little urge for a second. On the rare occasion when a second cup is desired, choosing a smaller serving in the afternoon ensures you remain energised without affecting sleep quality.
8. Conclusion: Aligning with Your Body’s Needs
Cacao offers a sustainable way to enhance energy, promote relaxation, and support overall well-being. It’s not about replacing coffee entirely but finding a balance that works for you. If you’re looking for an energising yet nourishing alternative, Soma Cacao provides the ideal blend of functionality and flavour—allowing you to enjoy your daily rituals without the overstimulation that coffee can bring.
Get Started with Soma Cacao
Interested in experiencing the difference for yourself? Start with a sampler pack for just $29 and discover which variety suits your lifestyle best. Whether you’re easing into cacao as a coffee alternative or incorporating it into mindful practices, Soma Cacao offers a unique, nutrient-dense way to energise your day.
- Tags: Cacao Hacks