Why People Don’t Drink Cacao: 5 Misconceptions That Are Holding You Back

If you walk into almost any café in the world, you’ll see lines of people clutching coffee cups like life preservers. Tea is everywhere too, from green tea in Japan to English breakfast tea in London. But if you ask for a cup of ceremonial cacao, chances are you’ll get a confused look.

That’s strange, isn’t it? Because cacao is one of the most powerful, healing, and energizing plants on Earth. It has been used for thousands of years by the Maya, Aztec, and other cultures for health, ceremony, and connection to spirit. Science now shows cacao boosts stem cell growth, brain health, mood, metabolism, and even cancer resilience.

So why doesn’t everyone drink it?

The answer is simple: misconceptions. People confuse cacao with chocolate candy. They think it’s too bitter, too weird, or not scientific enough. Today, we’re going to break down the 5 biggest myths about cacao, then show you the real benefits, and finally explain why drinking cacao twice a day could change your health and your life.

And yes, we’ll keep it fun and easy. Because health doesn’t need to be boring.

1. “Cacao is just chocolate.”

This is the biggest misunderstanding of all. When most people hear “cacao,” they picture a candy bar from the grocery store. But chocolate and ceremonial cacao are not the same thing.

• Chocolate bars are filled with sugar, milk powder, soy, preservatives, and sometimes artificial flavorings.

• Ceremonial cacao is pure, whole-bean cacao in its natural form: ground, minimally processed, and alive with nutrients.

Think of it like the difference between a fresh green apple and apple-flavored candy. One grows on a tree. The other grows in a factory.

When you drink cacao, you’re not just having a treat. You’re giving your body minerals like magnesium, iron, and potassium, plus compounds that boost your brain and mood.

If your idea of cacao is a Snickers bar, that’s like thinking a French fry counts as a vegetable. Sorry, it doesn’t.

2. “Cacao has too much caffeine.”

Many people avoid cacao because they assume it will give them the same jitters and energy crash as coffee. This is false.

Cacao does not contain much caffeine. Instead, it contains theobromine, a gentle stimulant.

• Caffeine (coffee) = fast spike of energy, often followed by a crash, jitters, or anxiety.

• Theobromine (cacao) = smooth, steady energy, improved blood flow, relaxed muscles, and uplifted mood.

Theobromine literally means “food of the gods.” It energizes without frying your nervous system. You can drink cacao in the morning for clarity, and in the evening for focus, without lying awake at night.

Coffee is like a rollercoaster. Cacao is like a walk in the park with your best friend.

3. “Cacao is only for spiritual hippies.”

Yes, cacao has been used for thousands of years in sacred ceremony. Yes, it opens the heart and helps people connect with their emotions. But that doesn’t mean it’s only for people wearing tie-dye shirts at a drum circle.

Cacao is for:

• Athletes who want better circulation and endurance.

• Entrepreneurs and students who need focus without stress.

• Parents who want to feel calm and energized (without reaching for their 4th coffee).

• Anyone who wants to live healthier, happier, and more present.

The flavonoids in cacao improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and support cardiovascular health. That means cacao is as much about physical performance as it is about spiritual connection.

4. “Cacao doesn’t taste good.”

Some people try cacao once, mix it with plain hot water, take a sip, and make a face like a 5-year-old forced to eat broccoli. Then they declare: “I don’t like cacao.”

The truth? It’s all in how you prepare it.

• Add a little cinnamon, chili, or vanilla.

• Blend with cow’s milk or coconut milk for creaminess.

• Sweeten lightly with honey or coconut sugar.

Ceremonial cacao has a deep, rich, earthy flavor, like coffee’s kinder cousin. It’s not supposed to taste like a candy bar. It’s supposed to taste like the powerful plant it is.

Drinking cacao straight with water and no love is like proposing marriage with a text message. Technically it works, but it’s not the best approach.

5. “There’s no real science behind it.”

This one is the hardest myth to kill, because people assume cacao is all “woo-woo.” But actually, cacao is one of the most studied plants in modern nutrition science.

• Stem cells: Studies show cacao flavonoids stimulate the release of stem cells, which help repair and regenerate the body.

• Brain health: Cacao increases blood flow to the brain, boosting memory, focus, and neuroplasticity.

• Heart health: Cacao lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and strengthens the cardiovascular system.

• Cancer resilience: The antioxidants in cacao fight oxidative stress, which is a key factor in cancer development.

• Weight management: Cacao regulates appetite and helps balance blood sugar.

So when someone says, “There’s no science,” you can politely hand them a PubMed link and a cup of cacao.

The science is so strong, even your skeptical uncle might trade his beer for a mug of cacao. Maybe.

Now that we’ve cleared up the myths, let’s talk about why cacao is actually one of the most powerful daily health rituals you can add to your life.

1. Boosts Stem Cells and Healing

Cacao’s flavonoids increase stem cell activity. Stem cells are like your body’s personal repair crew. They help heal tissues, fight aging, and keep you resilient. Drinking cacao daily is like hiring extra workers to keep your house (your body) in top shape.

2. Cancer Relief and Prevention

Cacao’s antioxidants are off the charts. They neutralize free radicals, those nasty little molecules that damage DNA and fuel cancer. This doesn’t mean cacao is a magic cure, but it’s an incredible ally for prevention and resilience.

3. Brain Boost and Creativity

Cacao improves blood flow to the brain, helping with focus, memory, and creative thinking. That’s why so many writers, artists, and entrepreneurs use cacao as their “creative fuel.”

A study in Frontiers in Nutrition showed cacao flavonoids improved cognitive performance in both young adults and seniors.

4. Weight Loss and Metabolism

Cacao helps regulate appetite and reduce sugar cravings. It contains MAO inhibitors, which prolong serotonin and dopamine activity in the brain, making you feel satisfied longer. It also supports metabolism, making it easier to manage weight naturally.

5. Mood and Emotional Health

Cacao is called a heart-opener for a reason. It increases serotonin, dopamine, and anandamide (the “bliss molecule”). Drinking cacao helps people feel calm, connected, and emotionally balanced.

6. Energy Without the Crash

Unlike coffee, cacao gives you steady energy without the crash. It’s smooth, uplifting, and sustainable.

Coffee says, “Run, now crash.” Cacao says, “Shall we dance… all day long?”

So why not just once a day? Why twice?

Because cacao works in harmony with your natural rhythms.

• Morning cacao: Wake up with clarity, energy, and focus. Instead of spiking your system with coffee, start with cacao for clean fuel.

• Afternoon/evening cacao: Instead of another coffee (which wrecks your sleep) or a glass of wine (which slows your body’s healing), have cacao. It will relax your nervous system while keeping your mind sharp.

Think of it as bookending your day with presence, health, and energy.

Example Daily Ritual

• Morning: 30g cacao, hot water, coconut milk, cinnamon, light honey. Sit quietly, breathe, set intentions.

• Afternoon: 20g cacao, hot water, chili, and a dash of vanilla. Sip slowly, breathe, journal, or create.

That’s it. No rocket science. Just nature, in a cup.

Most people don’t drink cacao because they believe one of the 5 myths: that it’s just chocolate, too caffeinated, too “hippie,” too bitter, or not backed by science.

But now you know the truth. Cacao is a daily superfood, medicine, and ally. It boosts stem cells, protects the heart and brain, supports mood, helps weight loss, and gives clean energy.

Drinking cacao twice a day is not just a ritual. It’s a lifestyle, one that could change your health, your focus, and your emotional balance.

So the question is: why aren’t you drinking cacao yet?

Want to start your journey today?

Watch our free videos on how to make it and have your own cacao ceremony in the privacy of your own home. 

Because once you experience the magic of cacao, you’ll never go back.