Many people confuse cacao and cocoa, but most people would argue that coffee is a completely different thing. Or is it? Cacao, in its raw form, is in some ways similar to coffee, and we argue, better.
Brewed cacao is roasted, ground, and brewed like coffee. It is made from the beans of the cacao plant, and it has an incredible dark aroma. Instead of the straight bitterness of coffee, cacao has the richness of its chocolatey flavor. And instead of carrying coffee’s negative side effects, cacao is a superfood.
The Positive Power of Cacao
Cacao is full of antioxidants that boost your immune system, as well as magnesium that supports bones, brains, and hearts. If you like to keep fit, cacao is low in carbs and calories, and it acts as a natural appetite suppressant, so you don’t feel the urge for a second snack. And, very importantly for many of Crio Bru-ers, it enhances the mind. Brewed cacao sharpens your senses and helps you to focus, and it greatly improves mood and reduces stress. It also helps your sleep, which is different from something else we know.
Immuno-Booster
Cacao has one of the highest concentrations of polyphenol antioxidants — more than red wine, blueberries, açai, pomegranates, and goji berries combined — protecting you from aging effects and sicknesses. It’s also known to reduce inflammation in the lungs.
Brawn for Brains, Bones, and Hearts
Cacao is one of the best natural sources for magnesium, which helps your heart, aids digestion, balances brain chemistry, and builds strong bones. Research also suggests that it may help prevent strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.
Mood Enhancer
Cacao contains phenylethylamine (the famous “love drug”), serotonin and endorphins like the kind that you get from exercise (not to be confused with real exercise), as well as other anti-depressants. It also increases blood flow to the brain for a stronger mind.
Weight Monitor and Appetite Curber
Cacao is low in fat, carbs, and calories, and it’s a natural appetite suppressant due to the serotonin and the polyphenol antioxidants. Drinking brewed cacao is nothing like a truffle binge, except for some of the flavor.
Acid Reducer
Brewed cacao has near alkaline pH levels if you’re into that kind of thing. Basically, it’s significantly less acidic than coffee and is not a likely culprit for digestive disasters.
The Negative Side of Coffee
You might like your morning mojoe, but if you lean in too much, you’ll pick up on some of these less-than-positives.
Jitterbugger
The caffeine in coffee might give your body the jolt you want in the morning, but the same thing that keeps your eyes open puts your nerves on edge. It also increases the likelihood of a panic attack for those who experience them.
Heart Opponent
Caffeine may raise your blood pressure, and it constricts your blood vessels. It can contribute to an abnormal heart rhythm and increased cholesterol levels, making this the opposite of a superfood.
Addictive Magnet
Coffee is a known addictive substance, and that means that you might feel tied to a brew that shreds your nerves. You might experience headaches waiting for your next fix.
Sleep Depriver
Coffee can kill a night’s sleep, and in general it contributes to restlessness and anxiety. This results in a nightmarish cycle.
Stomach Botherer
Coffee’s acidity is known to actively irritate gastro sensitivities and diseases. Acid reflux will get out of control.
The Final Word: Theobromine / Alt. It’s Not Caffeine, It’s Theobromine
If you like your hot drinks to be both delicious and stimulating, brewed cacao is the best. Why? Because the active stimulant in brewed cacao is theobromine, not caffeine. This means it doesn’t activate your central nervous system, and instead of constricting your blood vessels, it expands them, so you don’t feel on-edge. You won’t crash, and you’ll get an alert long-lasting lift. Goodbye coffee, hello Crio.
