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Cacao is the seeds from the small evergreen tree Theobroma cacao, used to make cocoa, cocoa butter, and chocolate. Native to South America, cacao was domesticated by the Maya and cultivated in Central America. The word cacao traces back further to the Olmec, a civilization based around the southern edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Most likely, the Aztecs co-opted a number of Mayan beliefs about cacao and used the beans in numerous types of rituals and ceremonies. At the time, only males of high stature or, occasionally, human sacrifices were allowed to imbibe cacao in any form.
In the 1500s, European explorers began encountering cacao and cacao consumption throughout Mesoamerica. Presented to the Spanish court as a beverage in 1544, cacao spread as a beverage and medicine throughout Western Europe over the next century. As demand for cacao increased, plantations were created to cultivate and grow cacao beans for the burgeoning European market.
Cacao's use and spread are similar to two other popular beverages containing caffeine: tea and coffee. While chocolate is often considered junk food, cacao was historically revered for its medicinal properties. More recently, research into chocolate, cocoa, and cacao has begun to resurface the potential value of chocolate and cacao as medicine.
Cacao beans are now often considered a superfood. The beans contain significant carbohydrates, fat, protein, and fiber levels. In addition, cacao has a number of constituents that likely influence its potential medicinal benefits, including polyphenols, methylxanthines, and other bioactive constituents.
A growing number of herbs are being recognized for benefits potentially derived from their polyphenol content. Turmeric, green tea, pine bark extract, and grape seed are all rich in polyphenols. All these herbs are under active investigation, with research suggesting potential mental and physical health effects.
Similarly, cacao is also increasingly recognized as an herb rich in polyphenols.
Polyphenols are compounds that often give plants their deep colors. These compounds are also notable for being potent antioxidants and displaying potential anti-inflammatory benefits. The polyphenols in chocolate, in particular, appear to benefit the heart. Preliminary evidence suggests that regular consumption of dark chocolate may help to decrease problematic blood clotting, reduce blood pressure, balance blood sugar, increase “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and reduce “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. For heart disease, LDL cholesterol primarily becomes a risk factor when damaged or oxidized. The polyphenols in cacao have also been shown to help prevent LDL oxidation.
But the benefits of cacao polyphenols don’t end there. They also appear to play a role in brain health. Although the research is mostly in animals, it suggests that the polyphenols in cacao have antioxidant effects that may improve aspects of learning, memory, and cognition. The polyphenols in chocolate have also been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and increase blood flow.
Other benefits from cacao polyphenols include increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a growth factor that encourages new brain cell growth and development. It is also hypothesized to play a role in helping to reduce depressive symptoms. Considering the potential benefits of chocolate polyphenols, it’s not surprising that cacao is being promoted as an anti-aging supplement.
Methylxanthines include caffeine and related compounds found in chocolate, tea, guarana, and coffee, among other sources. While the main methylxanthine in chocolate is theobromine, it also contains significant amounts of caffeine.
Methylxanthines are well known for their energy-producing effects. Methylxanthines provide energy mainly through their effects on adenosine receptors in the central nervous system. Adenosine receptors have a number of functions but also play a cardinal role in causing tiredness and fatigue. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) provides energy for cells. As that energy is used up throughout the day, adenosine is left over. As adenosine levels increase, you begin to feel tired.
Methylxanthines don’t give you more energy; they work by inhibiting your experience of fatigue by blocking adenosine receptors. Adenosine receptors also have effects on the heart and lungs, the latter of which is likely why chocolate found some historical use in the treatment of asthma.
Based on these effects, methylxanthines have been shown to boost mood, energy levels, and concentration. In one study, researchers showed that the isolated methylxanthines were the primary source of mood and energizing effects from chocolate. The researchers compared raw cocoa consumption with purified methylxanthines. The mood and energizing effects were virtually identical.
Also present in chocolate are a number of other potentially bioactive compounds. These compounds include phenylethylamine and anandamide.
Phenylethylamine modulates the effects of other neurotransmitters (like dopamine and serotonin) while acting as a neurotransmitter. It is generally thought that phenylethylamine acts as a stimulant, increasing energy levels and improving mood. Other research has potentially linked the compound to cognition and memory function, as well as with the prevention of a number of mental health conditions, including depression and Parkinson’s disease. There are claims that phenylethylamine may be one of the constituents that makes chocolate an aphrodisiac, although this claim is far from proven.
Anandamide was the first endocannabinoid discovered in the human body. In other words, anandamide is the first compound known to be produced by the body that stimulates the same receptors as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from cannabis. Scientists have postulated that anandamide could be part of the pleasure and appeal of chocolate and cacao through interactions with the cannabinoid system. It also could contribute to the addictive nature of chocolate, although more research is needed since levels of anandamide are fairly low.
Although the research hasn’t been entirely consistent, there are still strong suggestions that cacao may have some significant mental health benefits.
A recent study administered dark chocolate or white chocolate to a group of young adults for 30 days. Dark chocolate enhanced cognition and raised levels of nerve growth factor, a growth factor involved in supporting the growth and development of brain cells. Interestingly, the cognitive benefits held for at least three weeks after dark chocolate consumption ended.
In a separate study, healthy young adults were given either 70% dark chocolate, 85% dark chocolate, or no chocolate for three weeks. While 85% dark chocolate improved mood, the 70% dark chocolate was not found to be of benefit for mood states. Analysis of the gastrointestinal microbiota of the study subjects found that the 85% dark chocolate produced beneficial changes in the microbiota, or gut flora. In subjects consuming the 85% dark chocolate, increased diversity of beneficial bacteria was found along with an increased level of a specific bacteria that both may have been part of the beneficial effects on mood.
Other research suggests increased calmness and contentment with dark chocolate consumption. Study participants were given a dark chocolate beverage with differing amounts of polyphenols. In those subjects given the highest dose over 30 days, calmness and contentedness were significantly increased. Similarly, in subjects prone to anxiety, evidence suggests that chocolate may help decrease anxiety levels.
A study in older subjects given chocolate, red berries, or both found improvements in executive function. Executive function is generally considered to have three components: working memory, flexibility in thinking, and self-control.
In a small study, subjects with chronic fatigue were given a high polyphenol chocolate beverage or placebo for eight weeks. When the patients were on the real chocolate beverage, overall symptoms of chronic fatigue were reduced by one-third. In addition, anxiety scores were also reduced by one-third, with depression scores improving by almost one-half.
While most previous studies evaluated the daily, long-term consumption of chocolate, a study on the acute effects also hints at benefits. Subjects who consumed a single dose of a high-polyphenol chocolate beverage performed better on cognitive-demand testing.
Cacao contains numerous components that display antioxidant properties and may benefit mental health and cognition. Other research also suggests that chocolate and cacao have potentially positive effects on heart health and blood sugar levels. While more research is clearly needed, the best results for supporting mental health are likely seen with darker chocolate varieties containing higher levels of active constituents. Considering how much chocolate and cacao are often enjoyed as snacks or sweet treats, it’s nice to know that utilized properly, they may also provide significant health benefits.
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By Dr. Scott Buesing, N.D.
