Revered as the “food of the gods”, we are no stranger to the health benefits of cacao or it’s great taste. And so were not surprised (or disappointed) to hear that cacao has the potential to improve our mental health too.
For example, did you know that Eating Cacao (or high quality dark chocolate) Actually Makes You Happy? And not just in a ‘taste sensation’ kind of way?
This is because cacao is the main source of two things called anandamide, a naturally occurring compound also known as the “bliss molecule” and tryptophan, an amino acid needed for serotonin production, the neurotransmitter responsible for happiness and positivity. Pair these with a good ol’ hit of feel-good chemicals called endorphins also found in cacao and you’ve got one heck of a natural high.
That’s not to mention that the Magnesium Found In Cacao Relieves Stress…
That’s right, there’s more to the ritual of relaxing with a cup of tea and a square of dark chocolate than we may have thought. And that is all thanks to magnesium, the essential mineral that reduces stress by suppressing cortisol, the dreaded stress hormone.
And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Cacao Might Actually Make You Smarter…
This is because cacao contains compounds that have been proven to boost memory, attention span, reaction time and problem solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain. In fact, the flavonoids in chocolate have been shown to improve blood flow to the brain in young and old alike, resulting in sharper, smarter thinking.
Truth be told there have been many exciting findings surrounding the effect of chocolate and cacao on degenerative brain and memory-related conditions. What has been found is that cacao contains potent antioxidants that reduce the risk of dementia. In fact, according to one study, the more chocolate seniors ate, the less likely they were to develop dementia, indicating The Consumption Of Flavonoid-Rich Foods Like Cacao Holds The Potential To Limit, Prevent, Or Reverse Age-Related Brain Deterioration.
Perhaps our favourite health benefit of cacao is just how satisfying it is, so that we ultimately eat less of it. That’s not to mention that Eating A Little Dark Chocolate Has Been Shown To Reduce Cravings For Junk Food of all kinds — sweet, salty, and fatty. Consequently, it can help you make healthy food choices, cut calories, and lose weight.
Finding high quality dark chocolate or cacao can be quite difficult which is why we like to stick to products and brands that we love. Power Super Foods is one of those brands, committed to heath, quality and the environment, re-purposing packaging and sourcing high-grade (organic!) ingredients in a move that is good for the planet and those involved in the process. Hence why we featured Power Superfoods Organic Cacao Powder in our Summer Box.
You can check out the Power Superfoods Organic Cacao Powder (and the rest of their website!) here: http://www.powersuperfoods.com.au/featured/cacao-power-raw-powder-origin.html