Cacao vs Coffee
Does coffee give you the jitters? Do you feel a heightened sense of anxiety after drinking caffeine? Do you struggle to focus on one thing at a time? Does it feel like your energy is too high to be sitting at a desk all day?
Sound familiar? Read on for an insight into why this might be happening.
Coffee has many, many benefits.
Most commonly, it’s associated with boosting energy levels, which is great for increasing physical and mental endurance. It is also packed full of nutrients and a preventative against many diseases and illnesses, including Parkinson's, dementia and heart disease. When consumed in an appropriate way, coffee can be a great addition to your morning.
But, like most of the things we enjoy, there can be too much of a good thing.
What you may not realise is that caffeine boosts the body's alertness by encouraging more blood to travel around it; essentially stimulating the “fight or flight” response. This is a process that can benefit adrenaline based activities, such as exercise, but can actually hinder day to day lives.
What physical impact does caffeine have?
Triggering this sympathetic response in the body (e.g. a tiger chasing you), when it’s not physiologically needed (e.g. when sat at a desk) can lead to adverse reactions including anxiety, palpitations and stress. When you are in a state of stress from work, or worry in regard to your everyday life, drinking stimulants that heighten these responses triggers a negative impact both mentally and physically.
If your reason for having caffeine is using it as a tool to wake you up, boost your concentration and help you focus on work, it is possible that it is having the complete opposite effect. Creating too much adrenaline in the body, when it is not necessary, can actually cause you to be more distracted. Plus, when the adrenaline wears off you are likely to be more tired than you were before drinking the coffee. Something that is far from beneficial to productivity levels.
So, where does cacao differ from coffee?
Where caffeine activates “fight or flight”, cacao triggers the “rest & digest” system. When the body is in this state, it is able to find relaxation, digestive function increases and a sense of calm can be found. It is here that the body is able to create helpful stimulation that enables more focus and ease in the mind. In this response it is also easier to move with controlled, considered actions and find a sense of calm whilst doing so.
Essentially, it’s easier to find clarity and produce effective work from a place of mental ease than it is from an overly energised state. Plus, with digestive system functioning better, stress is lessened and happiness levels are increased... which provides all the ingredients for the perfect workday recipe.
Like coffee, cacao has multiple health benefits too.
Packed full of flavonoids, a cup a day can help to lower blood pressure, improving blood flow to the brain and to the heart. It is also an excellent source of nutrients, including iron, protein, magnesium, potassium and fibre. All benefits that contribute to the ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ concept.
Which is better for you?
There is no right or wrong when it comes to which drink you should be enjoying. Both have benefits in their own unique way. Essentially, it is worth considering your intention for choosing each drink. Coffee is a great way to ignite adrenaline, suited for activities that require intensity, be that physically or mentally. Cacao suits those that are looking to find a sense of calm to heighten concentration and focus.
On top of that, it’s important to tune into how your body reacts to each option. If you find that coffee only creates a positive effect, then continue to drink it and soak up it’s benefits. But, if it is having a continued negative impact, or you are no longer feeling it’s effects at all then it might be time to try something a little different. Or, you can always include both and receive double the amount of goodness.
Why swap in Bare Cacao for your coffee/caffeine?
Try our cacao today and receive 10% off your order with this code:
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