According to a 2014 study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, coffee consumption is on the rise in the country, with 46% of people taking coffee compared with 38% who would rather have tea.
Also, did you know that an average Australian drinks 14 cups of coffee each week?
A cup of coffee is surely one of the simple joys you want to enjoy in the morning. It keeps you awake and boosts your mental and physical performance. But if you’re too hooked on it, like you have your morning lattes and even have afternoon pick-me-ups, coffee can start to ruin your system.
Too much of a good thing? Maybe it’s time to consider drinking cacao. Cacao products also taste great, are healthy and help fight depression.
If you’re curious, read on to find out the top 5 reasons why you should switch from coffee to cacao products.
What Makes Drinking Cacao Better Than Coffee?
Cacao makes you feel good.
One of the reasons why people tend to drink coffee is that they want a mood booster. Caffeine in coffee stimulates the neurotransmitters in the brain, and the body releases chemicals that are responsible for good feelings. But did you know that you’ll get a similar effect from cacao products?
Cacao has phenylethylamine (PEA), which stimulates the release of endorphins, as well as enhances the activity of neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine plays a role in giving you feelings of pleasure and reward and motivation. PEA also mimics the feeling you have when you are in love.
When consumed regularly, cacao products can definitely help you enhance your mood as they also reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. They help you fight depression and even premenstrual syndrome.
Cacao is healthier than your usual coffee.
Cacao products not only taste great, but they are also packed with antioxidants and other nutrients. In fact, cacao has more health benefits than any other food on earth.
Cacao beans contain high amounts of antioxidants, fibre, magnesium, calcium, iron, vitamins B1, B2 and B6, folate, potassium and zinc. These nutrients help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and prevent diabetes.
Cacao contains the highest amount of antioxidants of any food source. It has more antioxidants than blueberries, broccoli and spinach combined. It also has twice as much as red wine. Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and toxins. Free radicals can cause inflammation, premature aging and DNA damage, which can lead to cancer.
Another cacao health benefit is that, being rich in antioxidants, it helps you make your skin look fresh as it fights the signs of premature aging and wrinkles.
Cacao has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is associated with many diseases, including heart disease, arthritis, asthma, Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
Being rich in magnesium, cacao also helps improve muscle function and nerve health. Magnesium also helps prevent migraines and may even lower blood pressure.
Furthermore, cacao contains fibre, which makes it easier to digest and keeps your digestive system healthy. Fibre also slows down digestion, making you feel fuller longer.
Cacao keeps you alert without being jittery.
Cacao contains a lot of the gentle stimulant called theobromine, which is closely related to caffeine. However, while too much caffeine can build up adrenaline and result in overstimulation, theobromine provides a boost of energy that’s free of crashing. It’s an energy that lasts and is calming to the nervous system. You won’t feel jittery or nervous.
Also, the magnesium in cacao products increases your energy levels. When deficient in magnesium, you will feel cranky and fatigued.
Cacao boosts healthy digestion.
Being rich in magnesium and dietary fibre, regularly consuming cacao products can give you enough fibre. This can then help you prevent constipation and hemorrhoids, enhancing your overall digestive health.
Cacao is not that sugary.
In contrast to the common belief that cacao is heavily loaded with sugar, it actually contains a modest amount of this sweet substance. Cacao is unadulterated; it’s the raw material that becomes chocolates and cocoa. And it can be served simply with plant-based milk or water. Cacao has natural flavours that require no sweeteners.
Cacao even helps regulate blood sugar levels. High amounts of carbohydrates in the diet (such as those found in coffee) increase insulin production, which increases blood glucose levels. Eating food high in protein and fat lowers insulin levels, keeping blood glucose low.
It’s cocoa and chocolates, which are cacao byproducts, that are made by adding sugar, milk and other flavours. When you eat them, you get additional fats and sweeteners.
If you want to sweeten your cacao, consider organic options, such as coconut sugar. It will give you the same flavour, minus the not-so-great effects of refined sugar.
Experience the Natural Goodness of Cacao Through Frido Cacao
Detaching yourself from coffee and caffeine can be a challenge, especially when you depend on it a lot to keep you alert and awake. However, with cacao’s health benefits and other good effects, don’t you think it’s time to make the swap?
If you plan to make your mornings healthy, Frido Cacao offers premium quality cacao products, including cacao nibs and cacao beans. We aim not only to provide coffee alternatives but also to reconnect you to the earth, to nature and to yourself. Contact us for more details.
