Health Benefits of Ceremonial Cacao
Ancient wisdom meets modern wellness. Cacao, revered for millennia, offers delicious energy & rich nutrients. A perfect plant ally for our times.
Ceremonial Cacao is a potent heart-opening plant medicine revered for millennia in ancient Mesoamerica, and continues to be to this day. Affectionately referred to as Mama Cacao, she is associated with the feminine qualities of love, abundance and nourishment.
There are a whole host of health benefits to partaking in cacao in her pure unadulterated form (minimally processed at low temperatures, without additives such as sugar or dairy).
Here are just some of the many health benefits associated with ceremonial cacao:
Mood Boost:
Contains anandamide, often called the "bliss molecule," which can elevate mood and promote feelings of well-being. 'Anandamide' has roots in the Sanskrit word ananda, which means "joy, bliss, delight"!
Supports the production of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters associated with happiness and reward (Nehlig A., 2013).
Natural Energy & Focus:
Theobromine, another key compound, provides sustained energy without the jitters often associated with coffee. Caffeine has a half-life of 2.5-5 hours, while theobromine’s half-life of 7-12 hours is more than double that on average (Drouillard et al., 1978)
Theobromine offers neuroprotective attributes, enhances cognitive function, and has potential in preventing age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders (Zhang et al., 2024).
Rich in Essential Nutrients:
Excellent source of iron, contributing to healthy red blood cell production (comparable to some cuts of lean meat per gram). Cacao is the highest plant source of iron, offering a whopping 13.9 mg/100g compared to beef/lamb which stand at 2.5 mg/100g.
Cacao is the also the highest source of magnesium per gram of any food, and is vital for muscle relaxation and nerve function. From a nutritional standpoint, magnesium deficiency is one of the most common mineral deficiencies in the West.
Contains calcium for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth.
A source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and Pantothenic acid.
Antioxidant Powerhouse:
Cacao is loaded with antioxidants that help combat free radicals and reduce inflammation in the body. Cacao contains up to 40x the antioxidants of blueberries per mg!
Heart Health Benefits:
Research has shown that cacao supports improved blood flow and lower blood pressure, supporting cardiovascular health through its vasodilatory effects.
Insulin Sensitivity
Research has shown that patients with hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance who consumed flavonoid-rich dark chocolate experienced improvements in insulin sensitivity and β-cell function (Cordero-Herrera I., 2015; Kawakami, Y., 2021).
Cacao truly is a miracle plant - delicious, nutritious, and energetically supportive. We hope that his article has been helpful. Why not give our ceremonial cacao a try?
Carefully sourced from a family in Quevedo, Ecuador, Arriba Nacional is a precious heirloom cacao strain prized for its exquisite flavors. However, its susceptibility to pests threatens its existence, unlike hardier, bio-engineered alternatives. While naturally lower-yielding and more expensive to cultivate, we are passionate about promoting these rare varietals. Grown using traditional agroforestry methods, they empower farmers economically, giving them an incentive to preserve these treasures for future generations.
