Ceremonial Grade Cacao is a friend with a lot of benefits:

 

 

Sourced from a sustainable, ethically run, small farming cooperative in the Peruvian Andes.  This is chocolate with a difference.  When you work with cacao in its naked form you open yourself up to a whole host of benefits and effects.  Cacao has many active elements working together, it is a very chemically complex food; various sources claim there are 300 - 1000 different compounds in cacao.

 

 

Why Ceremonial Cacao isn't just chocolate?

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• Endorphins: Cacao stimulates the release of endorphins, which activates a light, pleasurable natural high or the euphoric feel good factor sometimes referred to as “runner’s high”. Endorphins interact with the brain in such a way as to reduce our perception of physical pain and stressful situations, as well as stimulating the release of sex hormones, reducing appetite and acting as a natural anti-depressant.

 

• Anandamide (“The Bliss Chemical”): Activates blissful feelings, euphoria, deep relaxation and the sense of a liberated mind. It is a natural pleasure molecule that activates the heart with the very same feelings that we experience when we become awash with orgasmic energy.  Anandamide is naturally produced in the body but cacao is the only food on the planet that actually contains small amounts of it! 

 

• Serotonin: Our primary neurotransmitter Serotonin is helpful if you suffer from anxiety, stress and PMS symptoms. Serotonin can help to re-balance the endocrine and central nervous systems, allowing a sense of harmony, peace and well-being. It is a natural antidepressant and not only is Serotonin an anti-stress regulator, it actually builds and fortifies our stress-defence shield. When our Serotonin levels are well-balanced there is a sense of being able to cope psychologically and emotionally, and a capacity to connect with an innate sense of peace and happiness. 

 

• Dopamine: Cacao also contains Dopamine, which is a hormone and neurotransmitter that aids greatly in metal concentration, focus and the cultivation of positivity towards life and feelings of joy.  Cacao is even being used as a natural support for the symptoms of ADHD and Parkinson’s Disease! 

 

• Phenylethylamine (PEA) (“The Love Chemical”): This neuromodulator is the very same adrenal-related chemical activated in the brain and released into the body when we fall in love.   PEA is a super-powerful mood enhancer and heart medicine, helping to create feelings of euphoria, contentment, well-being, connectedness, as well as acting as another deep inner practice aid for increased focus, attention and alertness, helping to slow down the perception of time, abate hunger and other external distractions. 

 

• Arginine: Arginine is nature’s Viagra! This aphrodisiac amino acid dilates blood vessels and increases the blood flow to the genitals in such a way that stimulates sexual arousal and heightens skin and tissue sensitivity. It is often utilised by bodybuilders due to its capacity in strengthening and repairing damaged muscle fibres and tissue. In addition up to 40% more blood goes to the brain, expanding our creativity and ability to think about issues from a new perspective; ‘blue sky’, or ‘out of the box thinking’.

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• Vitamins & Minerals: Cacao is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including being a top source of Manganese, Sulfur, Iron, Zinc, Potassium, Copper and Chromium, and in its raw state, cacao lands enough of a power punch to reverse many of the deficiencies common in Western diets.

 

• Magnesium: It’s a power-aid in supporting the metabolic process, relaxing the musculature system and thereby helping to regulate the heart and blood pressure. Magnesium is a great healer for the pituitary gland and endocrine system and it is essential in balancing the brain’s chemistry, memory and concentration, as well as being a wonderful support against stress and an ally to the nervous and skeletal systems. Due to its capacity to relax the muscles in the body and regulate progesterone, which is the hormone responsible for PMS mood swings.

 

• Theobromine (relative of caffeine): Although Theobromine stimulates the cardiovascular system, it does not “charge up” the nervous system in the same way that caffeine does. Rather, it helps to relax smooth muscle, stimulate the heart, enhance mood, act as a vasodilator enhancing oxygenated blood flow to the brain and major organs, as well as being a potent diuretic and wonderful aid in the detoxification process. 

 

• Antioxidants: Cacao is the number one antioxidant food in the world. These precious antioxidant flavonoids help in trapping damaging free radicals and heavy metals, clearing up corrupt cells from the system and supporting detoxification, as well as aiding in the optimisation of blood function and fortifying blood vessel and artery walls. This helps to improve circulation, supports the heart muscle and regulates blood pressure. 

 

• Essential Fats: Cacao is rich in cacao butter which is an essential omega-6 fatty acid. Virtually all of 23 the fats present in cacao are of the healthy kind, which support the function of the brain, growth development, regulate metabolism, support the reproductive and skeletal systems and are a beauty aid for healthy, supple glowing skin and hair. 

 

Summary of some of the health benefits cacao gifts:

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 • sharpens mind and improves mental focus

 • strengthens cardiovascular system, heart function and reduces risk of stroke and heart attack

 • regulates blood pressure

 • diminishes appetite and aids weight loss

 • regulates blood sugar levels

 • facilitates regeneration and rejuvenation

 • builds and restores stress defence shield

 • balances hormones and brain chemistry

 • strongly detoxifies, and repairs free radical damage

 • potential in amplifying the benefits of other herbs and medicines

 • antidepressant qualities

 • supports the re-balancing of PMS symptoms

 • helps to heal and support liver 

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