Health Benefits Of Cacao, Sure to Blow Your Mind!

Cacao is one heck of a magical food. Not only is it used to make chocolate, but it's packed with antioxidants, minerals, and even some fiber to boot.

Here's a breakdown of some key benefits:

Heart Health

Cacao's flavonoids, particularly epicatechins, promote healthy blood pressure and circulation by stimulating nitric oxide production in blood vessels. Studies have also shown that regular consumption of cacao is associated with improvements in cholesterol levels. It can help lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and may improve HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. A 2017 study found that eating six servings of chocolate a week could reduce heart disease and stroke. (In the study, one serving equaled 30 grams of chocolate, which is equal to about 2 tablespoons of chocolate Cacao can also help prevent the clumping of blood platelets. The bottom line: cacao loves your heart!

Brain Function

In addition to containing a bit of caffeine, cacao beans are one of the richest sources of theobromine, a compound that stimulates the central nervous system. Cacao's flavanols have been linked to improved cognitive function, including attention, processing speed, and memory. They may also help protect against cognitive decline associated with aging due to epicatechin, which may protect nerve cells from oxidative damage, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease.

Mood and Energy

If you’ve ever bitten into a piece of dark chocolate and felt blissful, it’s not your imagination! Cacao is a great source of scientifically proven, natural mood-lifting “bliss chemicals” — theobromine, tyrosine, tryptophan, phenylethylamine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are associated with cozy feelings of wellbeing, happiness, and can even alleviate depression, and naturally boost mood and energy levels. It's a great alternative to coffee, offering a more sustained energy lift without the jitters or crash — a natural, healthy, delicious way to get your happy buzz on.

Antioxidant Powerhouse

Cacao is rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. 

Weight Management

Cacao can help with weight management by reducing cravings, promoting feelings of fullness, and potentially improving insulin sensitivity. 

Blood Sugar

Chocolate can lower the risk of diabetes and it's all thanks to (surprise!) the antioxidants in cacao beans. Cacao flavanols promote the secretion of insulin, the hormone that shuttles glucose into your cells. This helps stabilize your blood sugar, preventing it from spiking which is important because chronic high blood sugar levels can increase your risk for diabetes.

All that being said, it's important to note that a lot of cacao-containing products (i.e. traditional chocolate bars) also have added sugars, which can raise your blood glucose levels. If you want to reap the benefits of cacao without worrying about eating too much sugar, opt for products like Wild West Chocolate with little to no sugar added, and no artificial sweeteners.

Cacao also contains some fiber, which slows the absorption of carbohydrates, thus stabilizing blood sugar levels and providing a more steady stream of energy throughout the day.

Skin and Gut Health

Cacao is a good source of minerals like magnesium, iron, and copper, and it may also play a role in gut health and skin health.

The polyphenols in cacao beans are actually prebiotics — they "feed" the good bacteria in your gut, helping them grow and flourish, which, in turn, can help you avoid both temporary and chronic digestive issues. Simultaneously, the polyphenols may also work against the bad bacteria in your tum by inhibiting their proliferation or multiplication.

Studies have shown that the antioxidants in chocolate neutralize free radicals that cause wrinkles and dullness in your skin.

Important Considerations

Quality Matters

Opt for raw, organic, and Fair Trade cacao to maximize the nutritional benefits. Cacao nutrition really depends on how the beans are processed. For example, when cacao beans are roasted at higher temperatures, the antioxidant content tends to be lower. Non-organic cocoa (and non-organic chocolate) has also been treated heavily with toxic pesticides and fumigation chemicals, and may contain genetically modified (GMO) products.

A lot of the dark chocolate on the market is not nutritious. Unlike Wild West, most chocolate brands use minimal percentages of cacao (usually somewhere around 30%) and add dairy, refined sugar, palm fat, and emulsifiers to make chocolate as cheap and addictive as possible.

The percentage of cocoa in dark chocolate is important. The more cocoa chocolate contains, the darker it is, and the more health benefits it's likely to have. Choose dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content. “If you go for very high cocoa content, then you’re less likely to get anything that’s unhealthy. Pick something with the minimum number of ingredients on the label, and then you know you’re going to get something that is really natural with very little taken away.” says Prof. Tim Spector, renowned researcher at King’s College London.

Moderation is Key

While cacao offers numerous benefits, it's still important to consume it in moderation, especially when it comes to chocolate products with added sugars and fats.