4 Ways Cacao Positively Impacts Your Brain
As a nootropic, (a cognitive enhancer) cacao offers significant benefits for the brain. It’s a source of anandamide (the bliss molecule) phenylethylamine, tryptophan, magnesium, vitamins, minerals, antioxidant flavonoids, and is a prebiotic.
It boosts cerebral blood flow, endorphins, memory, learning, focus, it suppresses cortisol, and reduces stress.
The science of cacao is now readily available to all - but we do our best to synthesise some bits and pieces for you 🙂.
Here are some of the impacts cacao has on our brain - most of which are noticeable/observable phenomena that you can experiment with yourself.
But it is worth mentioning that cacao contains 380 known chemical compounds, deeming it one of the most chemically complex foods on the planet. That’s why it’s not so straight-forward to dictate exactly how cacao will impact us individually. For some, cacao is a stimulant, for others it supports sleep. For many it brings clarity, a sense of calm, and a subtle feeling of joy/bliss, too. We love hearing what your experience with cacao is - so let us know in the comments, how does cacao make you feel?!
CACAO & NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Cacao stimulates the release of endorphins in your brain. It contains tyrosine which is a precursor to dopamine, and tryptophan which is a precursor to serotonin.
Cacao stimulates the release of phenylethylamine (PEA) which boosts focus and awareness, and Researchers at the Neuroscience Institute in San Diego found that chocolate blocks the breakdown of anandamide which helps increase happiness levels.
Dr. David Lewis of the Mind Lab found that cacao provides “a buzz that, in many cases, lasted four times as long as a passionate kiss”.
2. CACAO & GAMMA WAVES
Gamma brain waves are the fastest, highest frequency brainwaves, and are responsible for learning, memory, faster information processing, and higher cognitive functioning. If your brain produces high levels of gamma waves, you tend to be happier and more receptive, have a higher IQ and better concentration.
A study published in the FACEB journal used EEG technology to demonstrate that within 30 minutes of consuming cacao, an increase in gamma brainwave activity could be observed throughout the entire cerebral cortical region of the brain.
3. CACAO & ANTIOXIDANTS
Cacao has a higher antioxidant capacity than green tea, blueberries, and red wine - the foods we commonly associate with antioxidants. This makes cacao an amazing brain food. Specifically, it contains a high concentration of antioxidant polyphenols.
These polyphenols help protect our bodies from oxidative stress (a.k.a. free radical damage) by increasing the levels of antioxidants in your blood. This protects critical neurons in the brain, assisting with long-term memory, reducing the risk of Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and stroke.
4. CACAO & ESSENTIAL MINERALS
Cacao is rich in essential minerals, crucial for our brain health. These include:
Magnesium for memory;
Calcium for nerve cell conduction;
Potassium to help increase thinking ability and concentration;
Iron in the blood’s hemoglobin to bring oxygen to the brain; and
Copper and zinc for brain development.
