Cacao: The Ultimate Superfood for Health and Wellness

Many people do not realize that chocolate technically comes from a plant. It all starts with a small tropical tree known as the Theobroma cacao that is native to Central and South America. Cacao comes from the bitter seeds (sometimes referred to as beans) of this tree. First, these seeds are fermented to develop a chocolatey flavor, then they’re dried, cleaned and roasted. The shell of the cacao bean is removed to produce cacao nibs or ground into a powder. 

Usually, when cacao is ground up, the goal is to add cocoa butter and sugar to turn it into chocolate, but it’s not out of the ordinary to consume raw cacao for its support your health . Don’t expect it to taste sweet like chocolate - it actually can be quite bitter - but regardless it has become a part of many people’s wellness routine. 

Here’s a list of ways that cacao can support your health:

1. Mood Support 

Chocolate lovers are probably already familiar with this benefit, but it’s not just the sugar rush that’s causing joy. Cacao contains natural mood-lifting chemicals like tyrosine, phenylethylamine, anandamide and theobromine. Tyrosine is the precursor to dopamine, which is the brain chemical responsible for feelings of reward and motivation. Phenylethylamine is an adrenal-related chemical that occurs when you feel excited or in love. Anandamide is a natural chemical molecule that helps support a state of bliss. And theobromine is a compound that has been shown to positively affect our mood and energy levels.

2. Heart Support

Cacao’s dense concentration of theobromine and flavonols is mainly responsible for its ability to support a strong heart and cardiovascular performance. Cacao can support blood pressure and blood flow. The COSMOS trial is a landmark study published showing cacao’s roll in heart support

3. Antioxidant Properties

Sometimes people eat cacao nibs or dark chocolate in general for their antioxidant properties. These are beneficial in helping maintain cellular health and support the immune system. Cacao is high in antioxidant activity - significantly more than berries, which is a surprise to many.

4. Brain Health

Cacao has also been linked to support brain health. It contains compounds called polyphenols, which have been shown to increase blood flow to the brain and improve cognitive function. Additionally, cacao contains small amounts of caffeine and theobromine, both of which have been linked to increased alertness and improved cognitive function.

Ways To Up Your Cacao Intake

Whether you enjoy it in its raw form or in delicious chocolate treats, this superfood is sure to boost your health and wellbeing. Here are a few ideas of how to consume more cacao without eating more treats.

1. Blend it into a Smoothie

Add 1-2 tbsp of raw cacao powder or cacao nibs to your regular smoothie. It pairs well with nut butters or berries.

2. Sprinkle Raw Cacao Nibs on Top of a Smoothie or Acai Bowl 

Raw cacao nibs are the peeled and crumbled pieces of whole cacao beans. Some people call them “nature’s chocolate chips.”

3. Add Raw Cacao Nibs to Your Favorite Trail Mix

Whether you make your own or buy from the store, you can always sprinkle in some cacao nibs to get those extra antioxidants.  

4. Make Some Hot Chocolate or Chocolate Milk 

Pour about 1 tbsp of raw cacao powder to one cup of your preferred milk and heat it in a pan on the stove. Or mix it in without warming the milk, but you may end up with some bits at the bottom of your glass.

Keep in mind: raw cacao is carefully processed at low temperature to preserve the antioxidants and nutrients and is very different from cocoa. Premade chocolate blends do not provide the same health benefits as raw cacao powder. 

5. Take Supplements

There are not too many of these on the market yet but the highest concentration of cacao’s benefits can be found reaped by taking a daily regimen of cacao nutritional supplements.

Of course, not all cacao is created equal. The quality, taste, and nutrition of cacao can differ drastically depending on where it’s grown and how it’s processed. In general, the healthier the land and simpler the process, the better. We recommend doing your research and finding the most sustainably and ethically sourced cacao.