BENEFITS OF CACAO
With over 300 nutrients and compounds in cacao, cacao is considered one of the most chemically complex foods on the planet.
Its crown jewel is theobromine: a gentle, long lasting stimulant that energises us like caffeine, without punishing us with brain-fog and jittery hands later in the day. It’s also rich in essential vitamins and minerals and produces mood-boosting bioactive compounds - dopamine, serotonin, anandamide (the 'bliss molecule') and P.E.A, an antidepressant also known as the 'love drug'. (The euphoric effects of cacao were so apparent when it was first introduced to Europe in the 1500s that it was temporarily banned by the Church!)
Cacao contains powerful bioactive neurotransmitters that uplift, focus and relax our mind.
Cacao boosts our immune system and protects our bones, brain, heart and gut.
Cacao calms the mind, promoting inner stillness and focus, making it ideal for meditation. Its compounds support a peaceful mental state, aiding in mindfulness and deeper contemplation.
Cacao sparks inspiration for creative pursuits like art, music, writing, or dance, boosting mental clarity and encouraging a free flow of ideas.
Cacao enhances physical and mental awareness during yoga, providing a gentle energy boost and heightened focus, which allows for a more connected and present practice.
We recommend starting your day with a cup of cacao. Do it alone and in silence. Be aware of all that you do as you prepare the cacao. Enjoy the smell, the warmth, the taste of your first sip, the wave of calm that flows through your body and mind. Set an intention for the day: perhaps to be more loving, to tell the truth, to trust yourself, or to be more often in silence.
SPOTLIGHT ON THEOBROMINE.
Cacao contains large amounts of theobromine, a bioactive compound that scientists have described as remarkable. Theobromine acts as an antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular protector molecule. While pharmacologically similar to caffeine, coffee and cacao produce noticeably different effects. Theobromine is more gentle, long-lasting and smooth, while caffeine is intense, fast-acting and short-lived.
Caffeine peaks in the blood 30–40 minutes after ingestion, and has a half-life of 2.5–5 hours, while theobromine attains peak blood concentrations 2–3 hours after ingestion, and has a half-life of 7 –12 hours. Theobromine has a wide range of benefits, including: improving cognitive function, relaxing smooth muscle tissue, reducing blood pressure, protect tooth enamel, and cough suppressant.
Unlike caffeine, theobromine is not a nervous system stimulant, which may explain why it doesn't cause the same jittery feeling. Instead, theobromine is a cardiac stimulant, muscle relaxant, and a vasodilator. Vasodilators increase blood flow and reduce blood pressure. Beta-blockers, used to treat anxiety, are vasodilators.
Theobromine is linked to oral health, improved sleep, and alleviating the symptoms of asthma. It's also known to be a powerful aphrodisiac.
