For centuries, cacao has been recognised as an extremely valuable raw material whose unique flavour appeals to almost every taste. It is an ingredient in many traditional cakes and desserts, but is most commonly found in paste (cacao blocks) or powder form. Ceremonial cacao, i.e. real, neutral cacao, however, apart from its unique taste, also boasts excellent health properties. It is no secret that eating a few pieces of raw cacao or chocolate clearly improves your mood, but it is also worth knowing that cocoa products are a rich storehouse of nutrients. To which specific substances do they owe their health-promoting properties, and what specifically can consuming real cacao give us?
Guayaquil cacao in Mexico in Tabasco
To answer this question, we need to go back to the very beginning of the process of creating ceremonial cacao. Let us now move to the rainforests of South America. This is where cacao trees grow on plantations in a hot and wet climate. The cocoa tree is a tree that can reach up to 15 metres in height and originally comes from here, from countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, although it is also cultivated today in African countries (e.g. Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon) and Asian countries (such as Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia). The cacao fruit, which resembles the shape of an American football, contains between 20 and 60 cacao beans. It is the cacao beans that are the starting point of the entire cacao-making process and are responsible for the mysterious, psychoactive and health-promoting effects of cacao products.
The beans are rich in micro- and macronutrients: it is worth noting right away here that 100g of cacao provides as many as 230 calories, nearly 60% of which are fats. But of course, that is not all. The cacao bean also provides valuable and essential protein and carbohydrates. Added to this are various vitamins, mainly those of the B group, E and PP. However, by choosing a cup of cacao, we not only provide ourselves with a whole host of valuable nutrients, but also small amounts of psychoactive substances (it is worth noting, however, that their effect is rather subtle). One of these substances is a fascinating ingredient called anandamide.
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Cocoa beans have an interesting and mysterious substance. It is anandamide. It gets its name from "ananda" [3], the Sanskrit word for happiness, pleasure, joy and delight. Anandamide [4] is one of the most important endocannabinoids, compounds produced in the body that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and other parts of the body. If the word 'cannabinoid' tells you anything, your association is probably correct: cannabinoids are psychoactive substances found in high concentration in cannabis. After the discovery of anandamide, scientists started looking for cannabinoid receptors and discovered that the human body is filled with them! In addition to being found in several areas of the brain, they have been found in the central nervous system, heart, liver, spleen, pancreas, skin, white blood cells, reproductive organs and in the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts.
But does this mean that cacao has similar effects to cannabis? It certainly induces a state of relaxation, but some of the (anecdotal) allegations made against cannabis certainly don't apply to it! According to recent studies, the consumption of cacao can help to improve memory and even inhibit memory deterioration in older people. The properties of cacao have long been appreciated, as evidenced by such a large number of consumers. Nevertheless, we encourage you to reach only for natural, high-quality cacao and thus avoid ready-made instant mixes, which unfortunately often contain a lot of sugar in them.
Returning to anandamide, this substance plays an important role in the control of movement, pain sensation and craving. It is a regulator that keeps the brain and body in a state of balance, called homeostasis. The endocannabinoid system, which can be activated by anandamide, provides protection against stress-related mental illnesses, including major depression, generalised anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Thus, we can say that anandamide is our natural substance of happiness and mental balance, the deficiencies of which we can replenish ourselves by consuming cocoa bean products. Now, the term "food of the gods" - as ancient South American peoples called cacao, takes on a new meaning!
In addition to anandamide, raw cacao contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals such as iron, chromium, magnesium, zinc and potassium. Large amounts of magnesium are one of the reasons for the psychoactive effect of cacao. Magnesium has an antidepressant effect, naturally improving mood and reducing feelings of stress.
However, cacao is also - and perhaps above all - rich in large amounts of antioxidants, i.e. substances that protect the body's cells from the effects of free radicals. These include flavonoids [1]. Their therapeutic properties are invaluable. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic effects and also reduce the mutagenic activity of tumours. In addition, there are many indications that flavonoids contribute to lowering the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease.
Cacao paste before solidificationSame cacao paste - solidified
In addition to the anandamide already mentioned, cocoa beans also contain other substances with psychoactive effects. Again, however, it is worth mentioning that these effects are rather subtle: eating even very large quantities of chocolate will not cause an intoxicating effect. However, the content of psychoactive substances - such as caffeine, theobromine, phenylethylamine(PEA), tryptophan or theophylline - can have a positive effect on our mood. Starting with the first of these, the well-known caffeine, its presence in cacao makes it a stimulant, reduces the sensation of fatigue and, in addition, significantly improves concentration. Thus, cacao can be a reliable alternative to coffee and can even be used interchangeably with this popular 'stimulant'.
In addition to caffeine, however, cacao also contains theobromine. While the effects of caffeine are well known, theobromine [2] has a slightly different effect to this popular coffee ingredient. It stimulates the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system, causing a rapid reduction in blood pressure. Paradoxically, this substance therefore stimulates and relaxes us at the same time, while also showing anti-inflammatory effects and contributing to long-lasting, healthy sleep.
We have mentioned at least two more substances, namely phenylethylamine and tryptophan. Despite their exotic-sounding name, these ingredients are known for their positive effects on our cognitive system. Phenylethylamine, by stimulating the release of acetylcholine, improves our cognitive functions, including memory. Another benefit of this substance is that the compound has a positive effect on improving mood, and is therefore recommended for people suffering from depression. Phenylethylamine is also used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Tryptophan, on the other hand, also affects cognitive function, but in a slightly different way. This substance, also known as L-tryptophan, is an amino acid that acts as a natural mood regulator: it has the ability to help the body naturally produce and balance certain hormones. Supplementing with tryptophan-rich foods or taking supplements helps to produce natural calming effects - tryptophan induces sleep and effectively combats anxiety.
As you can see, cacao is not only a fantastic snack but also a way to improve your health, mood and cognitive function. Cacao exhibits free radical inhibiting properties, which significantly slows down the ageing of the skin, as well as the body itself. In addition, the polyphenols contained in cacao have an anti-inflammatory effect, which means that regularly choosing to consume cacao can help to inhibit many dangerous diseases. In addition, reaching for cacao makes it possible to replenish magnesium, which is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system, which can contribute to the reduction of cramps or pain. Lastly, the psychoactive properties of cacao are effective in improving our mood and giving us back our energy. Real cacao, available in our shop, will help to regulate our mood and both soothe and provide energy. And all this with a beautiful taste and aroma in the background!
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