From Coffee to Cacao: Six benefits of switching to Cacao
We loved running the 21 Day Cacao Challenge in June and were amazed by just how many people benefited from the experience. During the last challenge we ran a National Health Study to record if a daily consumption of cacao reduced stress and anxiety in the participants. The results exceeded our expectations and we look forward to releasing our findings shortly…
Much Less Caffeine
One of the main reasons people switch from coffee to cacao is because it contains much less caffeine. One cup of brewed cacao contains around 24mg of caffeine... that’s about 75% less than the amount in a cup of coffee! Cacao’s lower rate of caffeine means that it still offers a gentle pick-me-up, but without all the nerve-jangling effects associated with coffee.
Theobromine: Food of the Gods!
While cacao contains much less caffeine than coffee, it has around double the amount of theobromine, a naturally occurring compound that acts as a gentle stimulant. Theobromine is in the same class of stimulants as caffeine, but differs because it offers a longer lasting, more evenly-spread energy boost without a spike and crash.
Unlike caffeine, theobromine is not a central nervous system stimulant and therefore doesn’t typically make you feel as on edge or jittery. Instead, it stimulates the cardiovascular system, meaning it increases heart function and blood flow. We think theobromine feels more like the energy you gain after a good night’s sleep rather than the quick high you get from coffee!
Cacao is one of the primary sources of theobromine and it has long been known for its energising and beneficial health effects: it was served to ancient Mayan chiefs because it was viewed as a gift from the gods. The name "theobromine" even comes from the word "theobroma", which comes from the Greek root “theo” meaning "God" and “brosi” meaning "food” … Theobromine earned this title because of its numerous health benefits: as well as inducing loving feelings of bliss and contentment. It also provides a smooth, crash-free natural high, has anti-aging benefits, reduces blood pressure, anti-inflammatory and so much more more… truly a food of the Gods!
Rich in Magnesium and Tryptophan for a Better Night’s Sleep
Raw cacao is one of the highest plant-based sources of magnesium, sometimes known as the “sleep mineral”. Magnesium is a natural relaxant that helps deactivate adrenaline and is said to quiet nerves and calm sensitivity to pain. Cacao is also a source of tryptophan, an amino acid that gets turned into the neurotransmitter serotonin and then converted into the hormone melatonin. Serotonin is known as the “happy chemical” and raw cacao boosts the body’s natural production of it, increasing our mood and ability to fend off stress. Being rich in sleep-friendly magnesium and stress-fighting tryptophan are just two more reasons we believe cacao is THE plant medicine for these crazy times we are living in!
Helps Alleviate Stress, Depression and Anxiety
Cacao is a powerful source of four scientifically proven bliss chemicals – serotonin, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylethylamine - we recognise cacao as an important plant medicine that can help alleviate stress, depressison and anxiety. Cacao increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, as well as inducing the release of endorphins and dopamine, our feel-good hormones. It is also a source of anandamide, a compound named after the Sanskrit word “anand”, meaning bliss, which is said to deliver the same feel-good rush we experience after a workout. This range of natural mood-boosting chemicals mean that we are increasing our happiness levels with each cup of cacao we drink.
Heart-Opening Properties
Cacao is a powerful Plant Medicine that calms the negative monkey mind by releasing the 'bliss molecules' - anandamide, dopamine and serotonin, that physically help to reduce stress and anxiety by reconnecting us to feelings of love, oneness and connection, helping us create a more loving and peaceful world, one cup at a time.
From a scientific perspective, cacao’s heart-opening properties are often attributed to its high levels of theobromine, which widens blood vessels, increases blood flow, and specifically stimulates the heart.
Feel Good and Do Good Whilst Getting Your Chocolate Fix!
Cacao delivers the rich, satisfying flavour and feeling of dark chocolate, but without any of the sugar and fat found in many off-the-shelf chocolates. Our cacao is wild-harvested, raw, organic and comes directly from indigenous communities in the Amazon. There is no child or slave labour involved in its production, which is sadly not the case with many of today’s chocolate companies. Drinking ethically sourced cacao therefore not only helps you feel good, but also do good in the world.
Subscribe to our Coffee to Cacao challenge
Take the challenge and experience the powerful benefits of cacao for yourself.
The 21 Day Cacao Challenge is completely free to join and you will receive daily emails of encouragement, a private Facebook group and a special discount code to purchase your cacao!
Join the challenge by clicking below and subscribing to the mailing list!
♥ We look forward to sharing this 21 Day Cacao Challenge with you ♥