Cacao and Exercise

Any athlete or health enthusiast knows that oxygen and blood flow are key for performance and recovery in exercise. Blood supplies muscles with oxygen, minerals, and nutrients they need to perform our workouts and active lifestyles. Blood flow is also key to recover well. 

Many take supplements to increase blood flow and enhance performance. However many supplements are artificial and packed full of a million other foreign ingredients. Thus finding "clean" or natural supplements is beneficial.

Cacao has compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids are known as phytonutrients, also known as plant chemicals, found in all fruits and veggies. Cacao contains a large amount of the flavonoid epicatechin.

Epicatechin has various benefits on the body that make it a nice addition to your workout routine. Epicatechin naturally dilates blood vessels improving blood flow. It is known to signal muscles to relax as well. 

Additionally, though in no way is it a cure, this phytonutrient also has been studied to have therapeutic success with diabetes and cancer. 

Cacao also has high amounts of theobromine which is a stimulant like caffeine but it does not share the drawback. Theobromine has been known to improve stamina and lift mood providing more focus and endurance in physically demanding activities.

As cacao also has a slew of other antioxidants that are great for overall health maintenance and it makes for a great companion to exercise and recovery.

Additionally A Harvard study on the Kuna Indians of Panama, demonstrated that this population that consumed large amounts of cacao beverage had a lower risk of stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes compared to their mainland counterparts.

Some take Téo to the office, some to the mountains, and some to the gym!