What are the health benefits of cacao?

When people ask us why we drink ceremonial cacao, we could talk for hours—about the ritual, the connection, the way it helps us start the day with intention. But the truth is, ceremonial-grade cacao isn’t just a feel-good drink—it’s also packed top to bottom with powerful health benefits that are backed by science.

From mood and mental clarity to heart health and nervous system support, ceremonial cacao is one of the most nutrient-dense plants on the planet. And when it’s grown, processed, and prepared the traditional way—without additives, over-roasting, or industrial shortcuts—it retains its full spectrum of active compounds. That’s where the magic is.

In this article, we’ll break down 7 of our favourite cacao health benefits, explain the science behind them, and share why ceremonial cacao might just be the best way to nourish your body, mind, and soul.

 

1. Cacao is naturally mood enhancing

Cacao contains a unique blend of compounds that support emotional wellbeing and naturally elevate your mood—no caffeine crash required.

One of the key players is theobromine, a gentle stimulant that increases energy and focus without the jitters associated with coffee. It works alongside phenylethylamine (PEA), known as the “love molecule,” which the brain produces when we’re feeling excited, connected, or in love.

Then there’s anandamide, sometimes called the “bliss chemical”—named after the Sanskrit word ananda, meaning joy. Anandamide works with the brains endocannabinoid system and binds to the same receptors in the brain as THC, offering a mild sense of euphoria and emotional warmth (without any of the high).

These compounds are found in far higher concentrations in ceremonial-grade cacao because of the way it’s grown and prepared—low-roasted, minimally processed, and free from additives that would otherwise dilute its potency.

Together, they create a potent cocktail of feel-good chemistry that’s been linked to reduced stress, increased motivation, and even relief from mild depression.

 

2. Cacao helps to regulate the nervous system

In today’s always-on world, many of us live in a near-constant state of nervous system dysregulation—stuck in fight-or-flight, or burned out in freeze. Ceremonial-grade cacao offers a gentle, grounding alternative that helps the body return to balance.

One of the key reasons? Magnesium.

Cacao is one of the richest natural sources of magnesium on the planet—an essential mineral known for its calming effects on the nervous system. Magnesium helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system (the part responsible for rest and repair), easing muscular tension, reducing cortisol levels, and improving overall resilience to stress.

Cacao also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that supports the production of serotonin—the brain’s natural feel-good chemical. In the right conditions, this can convert to melatonin, supporting deeper sleep and better mood regulation.

These properties make cacao an ideal ally for those managing symptoms of anxiety, burnout, and even ADHD, helping the body and mind find steadiness without sedation. Many people report a soothing, present-centred feeling after drinking ceremonial cacao—an ease that supports both rest and focus.

It’s this nervous system support—combined with its heart-opening qualities—that has made cacao such a medicinal plant for emotional healing, meditation, and therapeutic practice(and everyday goodness!)

 

3. Cacao Supports a Healthy Heart

Cacao isn’t just good for your mood and emotional wellbeing — it’s good for the heart, too. Quite literally.

Thanks to its high concentration of flavanols — powerful plant compounds found in cacao beans—ceremonial cacao has been shown to support cardiovascular health in a number of important ways. These flavanols help to:

• Improve blood flow by supporting healthy blood vessel function
  

• Lower blood pressure through vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels)
  

• Reduce inflammation that can contribute to heart disease
  

• Protect against oxidative stress thanks to cacao’s potent antioxidant profile
  

A review published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that regular consumption of flavanol-rich cacao can significantly improve markers of heart health—particularly in people at risk of hypertension or cardiovascular disease.

Plus, the magnesium in cacao plays a vital role in supporting heart rhythm and blood pressure regulation.

Ceremonial cacao, minimally processed and made using traditional methods, retains more of these beneficial flavanols than highly processed cocoa powders or chocolate.

 

4. Cacao Supports Brain Health and Cognitive Function

It’s not just your heart that loves cacao—your brain does too.

The high flavanol content found in cacao also improves blood flow to the brain. This enhanced circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to brain tissues, supporting mental clarity, memory, and cognitive performance.

One particular flavanol called epicatechin has been studied for its role in protecting neurons and promoting the growth of new neural connections—also known as neurogenesis. These effects can help protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline and support long-term brain health.

Cacao also contains theobromine, a natural stimulant similar to caffeine but much gentler on the nervous system. Rather than creating a jittery spike, theobromine offers a calm alertness — lifting focus, enhancing mental energy, and boosting motivation without the crash.

This makes cacao an ideal companion for deep work, studying, or creative practice — helping you to feel alert, inspired, and anchored all at once.

 

5. Cacao is an Adaptogen

One of the most fascinating and lesser-known benefits of cacao is its role as a natural adaptogen—a class of plants and compounds that help the body adapt to physical, mental, and emotional stress.

Adaptogens work by supporting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the system in your body responsible for managing the stress response. By helping to regulate cortisol and balance key neurotransmitters, cacao can promote a state of resilience, equilibrium, and emotional steadiness.

In other words: ceremonial cacao doesn’t just lift your mood in the moment—it helps build your capacity to meet the challenges of life with greater balance and inner strength.

Many people report that drinking cacao regularly helps them feel more grounded, emotionally centred, and less reactive to external stressors. It’s a gentle but powerful plant ally—one that works with your body over time to build resilience and restore harmony.

 

6. Cacao provides essential nutrients

Ceremonial-grade cacao is a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, it delivers nourishment in a form your body actually recognises and can absorb with ease.

Here’s what you’ll find in a typical serving of high-quality ceremonial cacao like Alma:

• Magnesium—Supports muscle relaxation, energy production, and nervous system regulation. Many people are chronically deficient in magnesium, and cacao is one of the richest natural sources on the planet.

• Iron—Vital for healthy blood and oxygen transport. Unlike plant-based iron from many sources, cacao’s iron comes paired with vitamin C-rich foods in traditional preparation, which can enhance absorption.

• Zinc—Supports immune health, wound healing, and hormone production.

• Potassium—Helps regulate fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve signals.

• Calcium—Essential for strong bones and teeth, and also plays a role in muscle function and cardiovascular health.

• Copper, Chromium, and Manganese—Trace minerals involved in energy metabolism, collagen formation, and enzyme function.
  

Cacao is also a source of healthy fats (oleic acid, stearic acid) and natural fibre, which support feelings of fullness, digestive health, and sustained energy without the crash you might get from sugary alternatives.

Unlike synthetic supplements or UPFs, ceremonial cacao delivers its nutrients in a whole-food matrix — meaning your body can use them more effectively.

 

7. Cacao enhances creativity and flow state

Whether you're writing, painting, holding space for others or problem-solving at work, cacao has a remarkable ability to bring you into the present moment—focused, open, and connected. This is not just anecdotal; there’s now growing scientific understanding and evidence behind why so many creatives and facilitators turn to cacao as their go-to support.

Cacao contains a unique blend of active compounds that support neuroplasticity, dopamine regulation, and alpha brainwave activity—all associated with enhanced creativity, flow states, and innovative thinking. We’ve already mentioned most of them but here’s a little run down of the what and the how behind cacao’s potent support for creativity and flow state:

• Anandamide—Known as the “bliss molecule,” this endocannabinoid is naturally produced in the body and contributes to feelings of joy, presence, and flow. Cacao is one of the few natural sources of anandamide, and also contains compounds that inhibit its breakdown, helping those feel-good effects last longer.

• PEA (Phenylethylamine)—Sometimes called the “molecule of love,” PEA increases the release of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter involved in motivation, pleasure, and goal-oriented focus.

• Theobromine — This gentle stimulant enhances mental alertness without the crash or jitteriness of caffeine, making it ideal for sustained creative work.

• Tryptophan — A precursor to serotonin, which supports emotional balance, receptivity, and inner calm — perfect conditions for creativity to emerge.
  

What makes ceremonial cacao unique is not just the presence of these compounds, but the way it’s processed. Unlike industrial cacao or cocoa powders, true ceremonial cacao is minimally processed, meaning these delicate mood- and mind-enhancing compounds are preserved in their most potent form.

Many practitioners and creatives report a distinct shift after drinking ceremonial cacao — a softening of inner resistance, a quieting of mental chatter, and a deepening into intuitive expression. At Alma, we hear this again and again: “It helps me get out of my own way and to connect with so much more ease”

So there you have it. A whistle-stop introduction to the health benefits of cacao which proves that cacao isn’t just a delicious treat — it’s a powerful, nutrient-dense plant with real, measurable benefits for body and mind. From supporting mood and mental clarity to nourishing the heart and nervous system, its impact is backed by both tradition and science.

If you’re curious to experience the benefits of ceremonial-grade cacao for yourself, we’ve created a range of bundles to help you get started.

👉 Explore Our Cacao Bundles

Or, if you'd like to learn more, head to our Health Benefits Page for a deeper dive into the science behind this sacred plant.