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Writer's pictureLaura Hof Alchemy

CACAO - Food of the Gods

As a tradition of South America you see the magic of cacao slowly spreading in the west! More and more people discover the power of 100% pure and raw cacao.


By: Corona Meerman

Retreats, Cacao ceremonies and Coaching







Effects of Cacao

You can experience the effects of cacao on all levels: energetically, emotionally, physically

and mentally. Each time the cacao is working differently, based on what you

need. Sometimes you need to release a tear, you could feel more

warmth or openness around your heart, make your body

move and shake things out, or you could receive a beautiful insight!


ENERGETIC LEVEL

Since cacao is known for her heart opening qualities, on an energetic

level there is a lot happening around the heart chakra. Participants feel

more love, happiness, gratitude, compassion, and more opening around the

heart. Participants report that they feel more connected with their own

centre and are feeling connected with the people around them. (It is

removing the layers we have built around our heart, show us more love and

connect us (back) to yourself and the others around you.)


EMOTIONAL LEVEL

Most people who feel the cacao on an emotional level will release emotions

by starting to cry. Sometimes they know the reason for their crying,

other times they don’t. Some people also like to release by making

sounds (toning, singing, laughing, screaming). The most common insight

participants share is that they let go of fear, let go of control or let go of

blocked emotions.


PHYSICAL LEVEL

For other people the cacao is working mostly on a physical level. They feel to make some movements: like slowly shaking the body, dancing or move around in the space.


MENTAL LEVEL

For other people the cacao is working mostly on the mental level. They get

insights or downloads about the direction they want to go in life and

the decisions they have to make, or they get creative ideas, inspirations or

realisations.


PEOPLE SHARE THAT THROUGH CACAO THEY:

  • Remember what is truly important for you

  • Feel more relaxed, soft and open

  • Can easily drop into the now, into pure presence

  • Align their body, mind & heart again

  • Are feeling high on live and love

  • Feel more connected with themselves and with the people around them and the world


WHY DOES IT WORK SO EFFECTIVELY?

100% pure, raw cacao is so much more powerful than a normal bar of chocolate.

Because the 100% pure, raw cacao is not heated above 70 degrees, all

amazing nutrients like antioxidants, minerals and magnesium are in there. It

is a real super food!


THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CACAO

  • Lowering blood pressure

Because of the high level of antioxidants, the blood vessels open up and

the blood pressure is lowers.

  • Speeding up the blood circulation

Medical journals report that because of the high level of antioxidants, 30%

to 40% more blood is flowing to your brain. It also improves the blood flow to

the organs.

  • Relaxing of the muscles and tissues

Because of the high level of magnesium, the muscles and tissues relax.

  • Increase of oxygenation

Medical journals report a 80% increase of oxygenation to the brain, heart

and skin.

  • Balancing the blood sugar and cholesterol

Because of the iron and zinc, the blood sugar level and cholesterol are

more balanced.


NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND NEUROMODULATORS

Cacao contains the neurotransmitters serotonin, tryptophan and dopamine

which assist with feelings of wellbeing, resilience to stress and anxiety and

contribute to healthy motivation. It also contains the phenylethylamine

(PEA), which starts running through your brain when you fall in love and

helps create feelings of excitement and euphoria. It also assists us to pay

attention and stay alert. With healthy amounts of PEA we stay focused, time

slows down and we are not distracted by hunger or excess stimulation from

the ‘outside world’.


ANANDAMIDE

Cacao is the only plant source that contains anandamide, a cannabinoid

also known as ‘the bliss chemical’. Anandamide is a type of lipid (oil). The

word ‘ananda’ (from which this chemical was named) translates from the

Sanskrit language as ‘bliss’.


This naturally produced chemical (which is part

of the endorphin group) is most concentrated in the body after moderate

exercise – also referred to as the runners high. Anandamide results in

feelings of bliss and euphoria, but also plays a vital role in moderating pain

perception and the memory of pain, as well as assisting in regulating

appetite and mood.


Cacao contains both anandamide and anandamide re-

uptake inhibitors, which are molecules that slow the breakdown of the

anandamide. This allows the anandamide to remain longer in the brain and

with it the associated blissful feelings.


MAGNESIUM

One of the most utilised major minerals in the body is magnesium.

Magnesium assists in all metabolic processes. It helps relax all the muscles

in the body and is thereby essential for the effectiveness and vigor of the

pumping of the heart muscle, the management of stress and exercise

recovery, the motility of the bowel, regulating the muscles pre-menstruation

among many other functions. Magnesium is also utilised in almost all key

functions in the brain, including those involved in memory and

concentration. Cacao is the highest natural food source of magnesium.

 

ANTIOXIDANTS

Cacao is also one of the highest sources of antioxidants. The specific

antioxidants in cacao are Flavonoids, from the Phenolics group. Primarily,

this class of antioxidants are important as they both trap free radicals and

chelate redox-active metal properties. This results in a reduced risk of cells

in the body, such as lipids (fats, and fats often lining the artery walls)

undergoing oxidation (corruption). The flavonoids also support clearing of

the blood vessel walls, flexibility of the arteries and a thinning of the blood,

all contributing to a reduction in blood pressure and build-up of fatty

deposits (plaques) along the artery walls, as well as a reduced load on the

heart muscle.


THEOBROMINE

Lastly, there is a lot of theobromine in cacao, which is the stimulating part.


HOW TO IMPLEMENT IN DAILY LIFE?

Cacao as a replacer of coffee

A cup of cacao with your morning meditation, journaling and/or intention setting

Cacao ceremony in combination with ecstatic dance

Cacao ceremony in combination with heart opening yin yoga poses

If you like to learn how to hold cacao ceremonies yourself you can do so through: www.cacaoceremonycourse.com


Wish you lots of luck with opening up!



CORONA MEERMAN

Retreats, Cacao ceremonies and Coaching

Instagram: @corona.meerman




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