Cacao itself has many properties that make it a super food. It is one of the most popular foods across this planet, and while you might be inclined to believe that Cacao and modern day chocolate are same, they are not.

Why You Need Cacao

Cacao is the seed of the cacao fruit from which chocolate is produced.  Ancient Mayans used it for centuries as both food and medicine.  Here are some quick facts about the traditional use of cacao:

• It has been used to treat ingestion from ancient times.
• From various potteries excavated from Honduras, it seems to have been in use as far as from 1400 BC.
• Its sweetened forms are a result of Europeans who tasted the liquid cacao.
• They found out that if they add honey, cacao becomes sweet.

The Importance of Antioxidants

Studies suggest that antioxidants can help in maintaining health, aging and age related diseases (1).

Everything from exposure to the sun, to pollution, to cigarette smoke, and even unhealthy foods – all tend to release free radicals activity into the body. Stress can destroy health tissues too. If your diet includes antioxidants, you’ll have much better time as these antioxidants purge those free radicals.

This is where cacao comes in…

it contains way more antioxidants than your usual dark chocolate and 20 times more than blue berries. You’ve everything from protein, calcium, carotene, to magnesium, sulfur, and more.

The magnificent mix of these elements helps generate phytochemicals, which are naturally existing with some great positive effects on your body. For example, they lower cholesterol, improve heart function, and reduce the risk of cancer.

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“Phenethylamine, found in cacao, is one of those elements that protects the body from free radical damage”

Why Is Phenethylamine So Important?

It is said that large doses of this compound are released into the brain when someone attracts us.  Phenethylamine is often called “The Love Molecule,” as its shown to make us fall in love.

According to studies, chocolate impacts your mood and emotions by raising serotonin levels, which is why you crave chocolate (2)

Then there is theobromine, a neurotransmitter and a mild stimulant which is sometimes used as a treatment for depression. It also releases the compound anandamide, which generates uniquely elated feelings of relaxation and gladness.

What should you do if you cannot have chocolate?

If you feel that chocolates are bad for you because it’s sweet and has sugar in it: a half a cup serving of cocoa has only one gram of sugar.

How it is processed, however, does make a difference to its quality. Be sure to stay away from chocolate that is made with sugar.  Try to stick with just Cacao.

“Cacao, on the other hand, has the properties to improve heart health, cholesterol, stress levels, and inflammation, among other physical improvements.”

Apart from these, it also releases anandamide, endorphins, phenethylamine, and serotonin into the brain that gives you an amazing euphoric feeling.

If you’re looking to feel happy while tasting something delicious, and deal with problems like depression or blood pressure, try cacao!