Can I Drink Cacao Everyday? Here's What Experts Say!
Tired of using coffee as your jam? Or simply sick of the same morning coffee routine? With a cup of homemade cacao drink, you'll enjoy a completely different routine and say goodbye to your coffee habit forever.
But a query may be popping into your brain as though many people, can I drink cacao every day? The answer is, without a doubt, yes, you can take pleasure in cacao every single day.
However, it can be hard to believe for people who adhere to the nutritional beliefs that most health experts propose. After all, cacao is related to chocolate.
In reality, cacao is filled with astonishing health benefits. So why not give it a shot? Just hold on, before you add cacao to your diet, read this article till the end.
Why People Might Want to Drink Cacao Everyday?
Did you know drinking cacao every day can reduce the risk of heart disease by 37 percent? This is what was revealed by a group of scientists in their study on chocolate consumption. According to the findings, it can also decrease death risk following stroke.
Now you might start realizing why people should drink cacao every day, huh? Let's explore a few other Cacao drink benefits in greater detail.
Raw Cacao Powder Has the Most Diverse Nutritional Profile
Raw cacao is the food that provides the most antioxidants in the world. It is a source of flavonoids that guard against free radical damage and prevent skin aging by stimulating collagen production.
There are more than 300 compounds found in cacao, including amino acids and fat, B-complex vitamins, as well as some essential minerals including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, copper, iron, and zinc. Here is the table showing cacao nutritional value:
| Cacao Nutrition | Nutritional Value/100g |
| Protein | 7 gm |
| Calories | 175 cal |
| Fiber | 5 gm |
| Iron | 6gm |
| Zinc | 6% (Reference of Daily Intake (RDI) |
| Sugar | 1gm |
| Copper | 25% RDI |
Best for People on Weight-loss Goal
Are you struggling to control your continuous weight gain? Looking for a way to lose some weight? Drinking cacao can help you here.
Cacao is naturally full of chromium, which (helps) regulate sugar levels in the blood. However, in the case of weight loss, the credit goes to the coumarin.
This is one of the vital elements of cacao. Consumption of coumarin showed a reduction of abdominal mass and weight gain in a recent study conducted on mice.
Theobromine and coumaric acid in cacao increase the efficiency of your metabolic process and reduce your appetite for food. In addition, research suggests that the consumption of cacao can also help to raise levels of adiponectin, a protein that facilitates fat burning.
If you are more physically active, your body has greater levels of adiponectin throughout your body, making fat loss easier.
You Have a Healthy Drink On Hand Quickly, and Easily
Due to its versatility, cacao is easy to drink often because it can be consumed in a variety of ways. For instance, you can combine cacao powder with your preferred smoothies or in hot chocolate as opposed to cocoa powder.
Just combine it with a splash of almond milk to satisfy your craving for a hot, creamy drink that's not derived from dairy.
Your Mood Will Be Improved Dramatically
Cacao has the most intimate relation with your mood. Have you ever noticed you feel more lively and energetic after having a cup of coffee? Yes, we’re pointing to the caffeine content which is also available in cacao.
When you’re feeling dull and exhausted, drinking a cup of hot cacao will change your mood.
Cacao stimulates the secretion of the excitatory neurotransmitter phenylethylamine (PEA). PEA is associated with inherently responding via adrenaline, which is a natural bodily response to excitement.
Similarly, cacao triggers Anandamide (AEA) which can help you feel relaxed as well.
Magnesium is the mantra for you here. This essential mineral helps more than 300 bodily processes that happen in your body. A lot of this occurs at the cellular tissue level, particularly in the adrenal glands, with respect to energy utilization.
Accompanied by mood regulation, magnesium functions as a hormone regulator, also controlling cortisol levels.
Drinking Cacao Boosts Learning and Memory
Flavonoids in cacao are able to travel from the bloodstream and accumulate in the part of the hippocampus. A brain region involved in remembering and learning new things.
Scientists have linked flavonoids with biochemical processes that are involved in regulating neurogenesis, neural activity, and mind-body connectivity.
At the same time, Flavanols from cacao are found to have a positive influence on cerebral blood flow, which can result in the formation and survival of new vessels that sustain long-term health benefits.
As you know, cacao also has caffeine. Though in small amounts, it bolsters awareness, mood, and memory.
Factors to Consider Before Drinking Cacao Every Day
If you think of cacao as a herbal remedy, you won't be mistaken. Even cacao has been used as a boon in healing physically and emotionally all around the world for centuries now.
Nevertheless, there are some precautions to know before you consume cacao, as you may have certain conditions that the cacao may not go well with.
Accordingly, if you’ve decided to drink cacao daily, it is essential to consider some factors beforehand. However, the considerations noted here are mainly relevant at higher levels.
Avoid Drinking Cacao While Fasting
Cacao is a potent stimulating and bitter agent, so it's advisable to take note of potential side effects as well as particular contraindications.
If you like to drink cacao at a high dosage, you might be prone to suffering from symptoms such as dizziness, flushed skin, hypertension, and trembling
In case this happens to you, simulate self-soothing measures as needed until you have recovered. Cacao can also act as a stimulant laxative in some instances. Whenever you experience intense laxative effects after consuming cacao, it's a silver lining.
Drink lots of water in light of the fact that your body will need to clear out whatever it is that you ate that didn't agree with it. This change will be more pronounced if you adhere to a raw diet or fasting Go with decreased quantities here.
Be More Cautious If You Take Antidepressants
There are specific antidepressants that are worth extra attention. Especially, with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) component may be dangerous when combined with the tyramine found in chocolate, so a larger dose of chocolate may not be advisable while on the medication.
People taking MAOI-based drugs for depression are typically advised to refrain from eating chocolate or other sweets, so they should figure out how to manage that restriction.
It is also recommended that doctors be very careful about any larger doses of cacao and the antidepressant class known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).
Specifically, tryptophan, a type of MAO inhibitor, has been found to be a forerunner to serotonin and has been cited as a potential contraindication.
Consult with a Physician in Serious Heart Conditions
This may seem puzzling as you know that cacao can lessen the risk of heart disease. However, the situation becomes entirely opposite if a person is already suffering from a chronic disease related to heart functions.
The theobromine in cacao is a stimulant and increases the heart rate as well as blood dilation, causing vasoconstriction. Make sure to speak with a physician if you're having severe heart-related issues.
Lower Drinking Cacao in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Cacao is generally regarded as a safe food during pregnancy and breastfeeding when taken at appropriate doses. Yes, Cacao contains approximately 10 times less caffeine than coffee.
Still, you have to ensure not to overdo it if you have a baby, as it can make your baby's blood concentrations similar to mom's.
In addition, there is a chance that drinking big quantities of caffeine during pregnancy could influence the rate of childbirth or fetal weight, together with the odds of miscarriage.
So, we recommend consuming 15–20 grams of cacao per day while breastfeeding or pregnant. However, some scientists suggest that pregnant women should limit their caffeine consumption to not more than 200 milligrams per day.
But, one interesting fact is that cacao has different effects on different people. For instance, cacao is given to pregnant women in traditional Mayan communities as a health tonic. So, it’s best to discuss with your healthcare provider about drinking cacao whether you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
Daily Recommended Intake of Cacao
Most of the time, there's no need to stress out about raw cacao dangers. Small quantities of cacao consumption are comparable to eating dark or bitter chocolate.
However, drinking raw cacao mainly has side effects in higher quantities, such as when we go out to dinner and have cacao drinks.
So how much raw cacao per day you should drink? If you are going to drink cacao every day, we suggest starting with half of the full dose. The usual serving size is 2 ounces, so be sure to only have half that amount (1 ounce). Give it a couple of days and observe how your body reacts.
Different Ways to Consume Cacao Regularly
For people who are new to the world of cacao, it can be stiff in flavor. If this holds true for you, try consuming smaller quantities of cacao little by little and gradually increasing the amount you eat. A few strategies that may help make cacao part of your regular diet are provided below.
Blend Cacao Powder with Smoothies
Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of raw cacao powder to your morning or afternoon smoothie for a tasty treat. The sweetness of the smoothie hides the slightly bitter flavor of cacao, so this is a great way to try raw cacao powder.
If you are in search of a delicious beverage to enjoy, try making a cacao smoothie by combining your favorite berries or fruits (such as blueberries, strawberries, or bananas) and yogurt with ice.
Whiffs of cacao nibs may be added as a textured topping to your creation to intensify its enjoyable crunch.
Make Cacao Bar
Whenever you are ready to consume cacao daily, try savoring a number of squares of raw organic chocolate for your go-to dessert.
Select a single-origin bar and create a dessert out of it by pairing it with a selection of herbal teas or your favorite nuts for a recipe that incorporates nourishment with an indulgent taste.
Create a Tasty Chocolate Milk Drink
If you crave a cacao drink with a pleasant taste, mix 1 tablespoon of powdered cacao with 1 tablespoon of hot milk and stir to combine. You can also add 1 to 2 tablespoons of plant-based low-calorie sweetener.
Then, pour some ice cubes along with cold unsweetened almond or coconut milk (1 cup) and stir again to thoroughly combine.
Homemade Chocolate Truffles
Truffles are a thrilling dessert, but they often consist of excess whipped cream and may be difficult to make a part of your daily routine.
Luckily, a simple and uncomplicated dairy-free recipe is obtainable, requiring just a bill full of raw cacao powder, almond butter, raw honey, coconut milk, and shredded coconut.
You can make this recipe literally in a matter of minutes and offer a great chocolate flavor. Mixing them with a dusting of organic cacao powder adds a layer of luxury to the dessert.
Taste Your Homemade Raw Brownies
Most people interested in a vegan or Paleolithic lifestyle will appreciate raw brownies because those brownies are dairy, sugar, wheat, and gluten-free, and no baking is necessary for their preparation.
Opt for confectioners swerve instead of confectioners-style sugar when adapting raw brownies for a vegan or paleo diet, as this type of sugar has an overwhelmingly sweet aftertaste.
Adapt the recipe with some nuts, unsweetened coconut flakes, honey or dates, or a combo thereof for a crunchy, sweet treat.
Risks and Potential Drawbacks of Drinking Cacao Too Much
You might have already got an idea about the drawbacks of drinking cacao too much while we’re discussing important considerations. However, that was some specific consideration you should bear in mind.
So, here we’re going to point out some negative impacts of drinking excess cacao:
- It can result in increased urination
- People with sensitive skin may suffer from allergies.
- It can fasten the heartbeat
- It triggers migraine headaches
- It can lead to constipation
- It often causes nausea
- Breastfeeding and pregnant women would avoid this.
FAQs
Humans are curious by nature. So, we know there is no end to our thirst for knowledge. Just to clarify some facts you might be curious about, we have structured a short FAQ section below.
When should you drink cacao?
It is popular to consume cacao in the morning as a natural mood booster. However, it's fine to consume cacao between 10 am and 4:00 without consequences. Just avoid it 6 hours after you're planning on sleeping.
How do you feel after drinking cacao?
Cacao, unlike caffeine, carries more encouraging effects on the heart and the blood vessels compared to the nervous system. Ceremonial cacao can be beneficial in fulfilling an energetic need but will not regularly pave the way for you to feel off for a couple of minutes.
How many times a day can you drink cacao?
Rather than focusing on how many times you can drink cacao, you should concentrate on the amount you’re drinking. As we have discussed above, the amount of cacao consumption shouldn’t exceed 2 oz. Now, it’s up to how many times you drink.
Final Words
Can I drink cacao everyday? Is this question still implanted in your mind? Hopefully not because we have already explained why and how you can have this so-called superfood in your daily routine.
However, that doesn’t mean you can pour a giant mug of cacao drink and take it daily. As far as we have researched and shown in our discussion, it’s evident that you should drink cacao moderately.
Especially, if you have certain health conditions such as heart disease, taking medications for depression, or are pregnant, consult with your physician and do as he suggests.
