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Cacao benefits | Cacao sports | Ceremonial cacao | Keith's original writings | Keith's wisdom
This blog post is an extract from the original writings of Keith Wilson, the Chocolate Shaman. For more recent info on all things Ceremonial Cacao, visit our main blog For the Love of Cacao.
Here is a detailed list of the known benefits and uses of Pure Ceremonial Grade Cacao of the Criollo variety, which does not have the caffeine found in the hybrid varieties that comprise most of the world's Cacao, and which retains its active compounds.
We believe this is the most comprehensive list to be found on the world wide web. It is compiled from medical journals, our own experience, and those of others who have been using Cacao extensively.
Benefits and uses are listed under five categories:
• Consciousness and Spirituality
• Creativity and Learning
• Workplace Productivity, Decision Making, and Innovation
• Workouts, Sports, and Training
• Medical and Health (including a note on Cacao and Covid-19)
1
We have had great feedback from many who tell us that our Cacao has replaced all the energy and motivation supplements they used to take for sports, exercise, workout, and training routines.
"I've been eating Cacao beans pretty regularly for the last 5 years, and one of the things that I've used them for is as endurance and stamina enhancers for long-distance running. I remember eating about 10 beans before running a 10k trail race and being amazed at how much I was able to push myself. I must say that the vasodilator quality of Cacao will certainly be of benefit to anyone breathing heavily, and magnesium will keep you from cramping up as easily. Sometimes, I will eat a few beans before playing baseball or billiards, and I find it helps my focus and concentration and keeps me more present in the moment, which certainly helps”.
2
Pure Cacao removes a lot of the mental blocks, increasing excitement for physical activity while facilitating motivation, thus helping those who struggle with maintaining their commitment to physical activity to follow through. It makes it easier for you to do things that are good for you and to prioritize You in your life.
3
With Cacao in your system, repetitive exercises like treadmills and stationary bikes become less tedious. Our brains create barriers designed to protect us. Cacao moves us beyond those barriers where the mind says 'stop.' When exercising, pure Cacao helps you visualize success, clear negative chatter, and focus on your goal. The brain relaxes into succeeding in easy partnership with your body. Visualize success and completion, and you're there! Actually, this applies to everything: growth, creativity, productivity… It allows us to go deeper, further, and faster in our own harmonious flow.
It makes it easier to distinguish the voice of fear or resistance from our intuitive knowing of what is good and needed for our own body. Instead of 'buying into' the limitations, it helps us listen and trust the truth of our own body and go with it! We have the clarity to know how far to go and when it is time to stop. With Cacao, you are not looking to get through it… you are in it, expanding creatively and performing at a higher level. Your mental outlook is more positive, and you are more present.
"…a significant improvement in motor learning, such as sequence, skill, adaptation, and reversal-learning was found in the group of mice on theobromine compared to the control group of normal nourished mice.” ResearchGate
4
Research published in medical journals reports that more than an 80% increase in oxygenation to the body.
"Even though I had increased the weight I was lifting by 15% at each interval over the previous week, I was able to do more reps in each set with the cacao in my system."
We know some serious bodybuilders who take a larger dose of Cacao before getting on the machines or weights. We encourage you to experiment to find your ideal dosage.
5
The vasodilation and increased blood flow from Cacao help endurance in sports, as well as attitude. But the most significant difference seems to be in creativity in sports like snowboarding, for example, where more inventive flow means more fun.
"The divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food." Hernando Cortés, 1519 (The history of chocolate - Deanna Pucciarelli)
Imagine walking in the hot, humid tropics with all that metal conquistador gear…!
6
Walking or hiking becomes more enjoyable, helping you connect and appreciate your surroundings [including colors and bird sounds] and any companions. Go out somewhere in nature, in a park or garden, with some Cacao in your system, and you will understand what we mean!
7
If you have a gym or yoga studio, you can use Cacao to bring your clients to another level. Many years ago, I introduced a high-end yoga studio to a snack of peeled Cacao beans dipped in agave, honey, or artichoke syrup! For a quick energy pick-up, try chewing on a Cacao bean along with any type of nut. Offering our Cacao before the beginning of your session will set you apart from the crowd.
"With Cacao in everyone, there is a deeper connection with each other and a deeper focus on the task. Teachers can better tap into the needs of the collective, so they can better guide the class."
Continue reading about the benefits and uses of Cacao in blog postsBenefits and Uses of Keith's Cacao - Parts 1, 2, 3, & 5.
