Health
Sha'll We?
During my health coaching certification, I started experimenting with every superfood under the sun, Astralgus and Amla, Beetroot and Burdock, Mushrooms and Maca.
My breakfast was ritual. After my meditation, I whipped together a small bowl of life-giving foods. The base was usually a coconut yogurt, blended with vanilla protein powder, sweetened with monk fruit, cinnamon, and decorated in nuts, berries, chia seeds, and whatever other interesting flavors I could find.
This was, until, I discovered an oversized bag of Cacao powder stashed in the back of my pantry.
I believe my life has a clear distinction: B.C. (before Cacao) and A.C. (after Cacao). This single food brought a wave love, joy, and zing to my life, and I've been an unabashed ambassador ever since.
The reason I'm going as far as to dedicate an entire blog post to this food, is because of the remarkable health benefits it brings, physically and energetically. Dark Chocolate (or Cacao) is extremely vitalizing.
Here Are Somethings You Need to Know
The longest lived woman in history, Jeanne Calment at 122 years, ate 2 pounds of dark chocolate a day.
The Kuna Indians are a group living on the coast of Panama with no record of heart disease: no heart attacks, no strokes, and perfect blood pressure.1 The key? On average, a Kuna consumes more than 5 cups of natural cocoa every day, the highest consumption on earth.2
Cacao has been used ceremonially for over 5,000 years.
Why We Love Cacao
Cacao has a rich, velvety flavor. If you've played with some cacao, you know it has a highly energizing, stimulant-like effect. Cacao contains small amounts of caffeine, but most of its energizing quality comes from the Theobromine compound.
Cacao carries a heavy stack of health benefits. It drastically decreases blood pressure and insulin resistance. It significantly improves heart function and cholesterol. It is chock-full of antioxidant and anti-aging compounds.
The frequency of cacao corresponds to that of the heart chakra, and has been used to open and uplift the emotional body. Mindfully ingesting ceremonial grade cacao will peel open your heart and bring you into a beautiful loving state
About The Fruit
Cacao grows in large, hard-shelled fruits called pods. When you crack open a pod, the cacao is fleshy and actually pure white in color! Cacao only turns into its beautiful brown color through the process of fermentation, which ignites many of its health benefits.3
Is Cacao The Same As Cocoa?
No! Cacao is the purest form of this food. This is considered naked chocolate, and a whole food, as it's barely processed. It is richer, more bitter, and has a nutty flavor.
Cocoa is the roasted form of the bean. Here, the fats are removed. It has a toasted, slightly sweeter taste. The roasting removes most of the health benefits. Here, we lose the minerals, polyphenol and antioxidant availability. With lower levels of Theobromine, we also lessen its unique stimulating effect.
Cacao Is A Nootropic
Nootropic? What even is that?
A nootropic is like a "smart drug," it increases our mental performance. Think: Mood, memory, focus. Cacao stimulates the release of Phenylethylamine (PEA), which triggers focus and awareness, and Anandamide (the bliss molecule), which boosts happiness levels. It increases blood flow in the brain for up to 2 hours after consumption, improving cognition, memory, and preventing neurodegeneration.
Cacao Doubles Stem Cells
Stem cells? Should I know what those are?
Yes! You will now. Stem cells are fascinating. A stem cell is an unspecialized cell. It's like a shapeshifter. Imagine a scanner running up and down your body, assessing what area needs the most healing and regeneration. Stem cells can transmute into any type of cell that your body needs.
In a study where people were directed to drink 2 cups of dark hot chocolate every single day over the course of 1 month, participants doubled their number of stem cells.4
Cacao Works On A Vibrational Level
You've probably heard of, or even been to, a cacao ceremony. Many spiritual gatherings and celebrations begin with the drinking of hot cacao. This is a tradition that has been carried on for thousands of years, rooting in ancient Mayan and Aztecan civilizations. Cacao was revered as a "Gift from the Gods," and believed to initiate connection with the Divine.
How To Incorporate Cacao
If you are interested in adding cacao into your routine for all of the benefits and energy listed above, I'd start with 2 tablespoons, early in the day. Mix it in with hot water or milk and sweeten it with a few drops of stevia or honey. I also love mixing the powder into a coconut yogurt, smoothie, protein powder, chia seed pudding, or sprinkling it on top of fruit.
To simplify the process, I usually just buy raw cacao powder. You can embrace the traditional consumption by purchasing a hard block of 100% cacao and slowly grating it into a shredded, powder form to be melted.
How To Eat Chocolate
If you are interested in a classic, hard chocolate, look for at least 80% and closely read the ingredients. I prefer bars with under 4g of sugar per serving. Preferably, purchase all organic, and strive for minimal, whole ingredients. A healthy ingredient list will have some of these:
Organic cacao (beans), organic cocoa butter, organic raw agave/cane sugar, organic vanilla beans, organic coconut oil, etc.
Since most bars run high in sugar, the temptation is to quickly chew, swallow and receive the jolt of energy from the sugar. Dark chocolate is actually meant to be consumed like a lozenger, slowly melting in the heat of your mouth overtime. In this way, we enjoy the full flavor profile of cacao, we incrementally feel the onset of energy from its natural compounds, and of course, we make it last longer!
Jill's Picks: Dark Chocolate Bars
You best believe I have tried every (and some) on this list. This is a purposefully accessible list of bars you can find at your local natural foods store.
A dark staple. I love the crunch bits in their 90% Mint Blackout.
Alter Eco 85% Raspberry, another must-try.
My top pick for organic cacao powder
You'll love it or hate it (I'm into it). Taza has a super unique, gritty texture.
If you can find it: Taza 95% is impressive as a very dark chocolate with a less fatty, more meaty texture.
One of my top go-to's. Love the tiny bites!
A zero sugar (stevia sweetened), delicious line of healing, adaptogenic chocolates. Must be open minded, but highly recommend.
Righteously Raw 83% Pure Dark (if you can find it)
A non-dark phenomenal alternate: Righteously Raw Rose.
Jill's Picks: Chocolate Shops
Similar to my pulse for Natural Food Stores, whenever I'm visiting a new city, I scavenge Apple Maps for local chocolate shops. Here are some honorable mentions that I have discovered across my travels:
Cafe Xocolatl (Sacramento)
Maya Moon Collective (San Diego)
The Meadow (Portland)
Chocolatree (Sedona)
Chocolati Cafe (Seattle)
Closing Thoughts
I'm convinced the cacao is a true key to longevity. I eat dark chocolate, or cacao, almost every day, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Next time you're at the grocery store, pick up a dark bar or raw powder and see how your energy shifts.
And I'd love to know, which food gives you this much bliss.
