PHYSICAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
The health benefits are numerous and the following is a list of the most well known
Reduces anxiety
Antidepressant properties
Improves digestion
Combats tooth decay
Improves brain function
Lowers blood pressure
Full of antioxidants (more than blueberries!)
Boosts immune system
Helps us breathe by reducing inflammation around the lungs
Aids weight loss
Increases serotonin
CACAO SCIENCE
The cacao polyphenols in commercial chocolate have been shown, in clinical trials, to reduce stress in both healthy and highly-stressed individuals. Drinking ceremonial cacao is the healthier alternative as does not have the sugar and additives that commercial chocolate does.
Theobromine - the active ingredient in Cacao. Theobromine is 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.
Cacao is one of the primary sources of theobromine and it has long been known for its energising and beneficial health effects. The name "theobromine" comes from the word "theobroma," which comes from the Greek root “theo” meaning "God" and “brosi” meaning "food.” showing us the message of its power - Food of the Gods
Unlike caffeine, theobromine is not a central nervous system stimulant and therefore doesn’t typically make you feel as on edge or jittery. It feels more like the energy you gain after a good night’s sleep, rather than the quick high you get from coffee.
More antioxidants that blueberries - Cacao beans contain more than 40 times more antioxidants than blueberries. It’s high Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity make it one of the most effective superfoods to absorb free radicals that create tumours by damaging our cells and tissues.
Cacao naturally boosts our immune system and gives us an energetic lift to help us through the day, because it’s packed full of goodness. It contains over 300 identifiable compounds of vitamins, minerals, important antioxidants, and amino acids. In fact, Cacao has even more calcium than cow’s milk. It’s super rich in iron and magnesium compared to any other fruit and also contains elevated levels of potassium, selenium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, sulphur, beta-carotene, omega6 fatty acids, which many of us are deficient in.
I could go on further and delve deeper into this super food, but hope this has given a base line that will inspire you to investigate further, the magical gift from nature that is Cacao.
SPIRITUAL WELLBEING
Some people take a daily drink for health benefits and that is as far as their journey with cacao goes. For others their is a much deeper relationship that can be nurtured. Cacao is a powerful plant medicine that opens the heart and helps us in our spiritual practices. For example you can use it to help release emotional blockages that no longer serve, find forgiveness in ourselves and others, find the way forward if we are stuck, or afraid of making necessary life changes. It also enables us to access stuck emotions, conditionings, patterns of behaviour and addictions that are buried deep in the unconscious.
The 21 day Dieta (a contract between plant spirit and the student) that I undertook as part of my training underlined the power of cacao when used consciously and with intention. As I intuitively chose my daily dose and worked through the teachings of the course, I soon realised how the Cacao worked with me, allowing me to delve deeper, bringing through my own wisdom to merge with what I was being taught by my teacher. So many insights, that I was not expecting, emerged in that period of time and the synchronicities that show up when you are in the flow, became a daily occurrence, as the cacao worked with my own energy systems.