Cacao - Plant Medicine & Superfood

Cacao is bitter:

100% pure cacao is bitter.  As with any bitter, too much can make you nauseous.  Most drink less than 2 to 3 ounces (57 to 85 grams) of cacao a day.  Over time, as your body attunes to the cacao, you may find that you need less cacao to feel the full effect.  Less can be more.  Pay attention to what your body is telling you.

Antidepressants:

Depending on dose, SSRI antidepressants and anti-psychotics are not compatible with the MAOI's (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) in cacao. Low to average doses should be ok, people on higher doses should drink less cacao.  Check with your doctor.

Heart Rate:

Our cacao will raise your heart rate slightly.  If an increase in your heart rate could cause a medical problem, drink less. Check with your doctor.

Blood Pressure:

Many folks with low blood pressure tell Keith that our cacao (low-caffeine) stabilizes their heart and helps them. Check with your doctor.

Other substances:

Our cacao increases blood flow to the brain by 30-40%… so any other substances in your blood will be amplified. 

Caffeine:

Keith is often asked by people with a caffeine intolerance if they can use cacao.  The caffeine content of cacao varies widely amongst cacao varieties and cacao makers. Most find our cacao to have a very low, to no-caffeine feel.

Pregnant and nursing women:

Most babies, in or out of the womb, do really well with mom consuming our cacao, and we know of many awesome 'cacao children'.  About 1oz (28gm) in the first 2 trimesters, about 2/3oz (20gm) dose in the last trimester. There are a few fetuses and breast-fed babies that do not like cacao... it is not a problem, but they will let you know so start easy and find what is right for you.  We recommend 2/3oz (20gm) while breast feeding until it is clear how the infant reacts. 

Children:

Use less, according to the child’s body weight.  It depends on the child.  They will let you know.  Children who have had an appropriate amount of cacao are more focused.

Pets:

Real cacao contains compounds that can kill dogs, cats, parrots, and horses.  Don’t let them eat it!