a rich cacao drink that combines the flavor and nutrition of cacao with the euphoric effects of kava.

Kava root has been brewed and consumed in the Pacific Islands for hundreds of years as a (natural) substitute for alcohol. Any drink made with Kava will produce euphoric & calming effects. This natural “buzz” is due to it’s active ingredient known as “kavalactones.” One serving of KavaCao contains at least 9% active kavalactones.

KavaCao is made using only the highest quality, organic, all-natural cacao from South America. For 2023, we’ve partnered with farmers and distributors in Ecuador to furnish us with the perfect 20/22 raw cacao powder for our blend.

KavaCao combines two of the world’s most nutrient-dense raw sugars: date sugar and panela sugar. Organic date sugar is simply ground whole dates which means all of the fruit’s nutrients are retained. Panela sugar is made by cutting down the sugarcane by hand and kettle cooking it in small batches to retain as many as minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Together, these two sugars have a rich and caramel like flavor.

KavaCao is flavored with organic spices that were specifically chosen to help the body absorb nutrients while highlighting the flavors of the cacao. Our blend contains traditional flavors like cinnamon, mace powder (nutmeg), star anise, and cayenne pepper.

Kava: the chillest plant on the planet

The Kava plant (aka ‘piper methysticum’) is native to the South Pacific islands and has been consumed for centuries as a ceremonial and medicinal beverage. Kava root contains mild psychoactive compounds, which boast analgesic and euphoric effects without causing any drowsiness or impairing cognitive function.

Kava has been shown to have a number of potential benefits, including reducing anxiety, promoting sleep, and easing muscle tension. These effects have been attributed to the presence of kava’s active ingredient, kavalactones. Kavalactones have been shown to have anxiolytic and sedative effects, which is why kava is often used as a natural alternative to prescription anti-anxiety medications.

In addition to its relaxing effects, kava has also been used to promote social bonding and to facilitate communication in traditional ceremonies. In some cultures, kava is used to promote a sense of community and togetherness, as well as to enhance creativity and artistic expression.

WHAT IS KAVA?!

KAVA FOR SLEEP & ANXIETY

CACAO: The healthiest fRUIT on EARTH

With over 300 nutrients and over 700 compounds, cacao is the healthiest fruit on earth.

The cacao tree (“theobroma cacao”) is a small tree native to the Amazon Basin. It produces a fleshy fruit (also known as pods) that look like brown seeds. Even though, these pods are known as cacao “beans,” they aren’t technically legumes. Cacao beans develop flavor and texture through a fermentation process before they’re processed into either cacao powder or cocoa powder.

It's important to understand that raw cacao powder is not the same as the processed cocoa powder you find in most grocery stores. Raw cacao powder is made by cold-pressing un-roasted cocoa beans, which preserves the enzymes and nutrients that are often destroyed during high-heat processing. So, why is raw cacao powder so nutritionally significant? Here are just a few reasons:

CACAO vs. COCOA

CACAO: FOOD OF THE GODS

HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND

KavaCao is carefully crafted to retain the nutritional value of the raw cacao while balancing the bitter flavor of the kava root. This blend of pure cacao powder, kava root, raw sugars and spices provides a wide range of polyphenols, flavanols, minerals and antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radicals and oxidation in the body and offer an abundance of anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects.

Cacao powder is packed with flavonoids. These nutrients have been shown to help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to the brain and heart, and aid in preventing blood clots. Amongst those are some very complex antioxidants. Unlike flavonols, these take on the duty of lowering bad cholesterol levels.
The flavonoids in cacao powder may help increase insulin sensitivity, reducing your risk of diabetes, some small studies show. Granted, lowering your chances of developing diabetes also involves your overall diet and lifestyle – no single food is the answer, not even KavaCao.
In addition to antioxidants, cacao contains lots of potassium. Potassium has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease by reducing lower body inflammation and stress on cells. The antioxidants found in cacao protect your cardiovascular system overall. They do so by improving circulation and strengthening your artery and vein walls.
Some research suggests that cacao powder may help reduce inflammation due to the high levels of antioxidants.
Cacao is known to improve mood in three ways:
1. Anandamide, also known as the bliss molecule. This substance alone improves your mood and restores balance in the brain.
2. Phenethylamine. These chemicals trigger the release of endorphins and other hormones. Most of these appear only when we fall in love. Cacao thus improves libido.
3. The regulation of hormones is essential in boosting serotonin levels. Serotonin is crucial for mood regulation and helps boost motivation.
A study by the Department of Nutrition at the University of California has shown cacao to be an effective blood thinner.
Cacao contains polyphenol. You can find polyphenols in green tea and red wine, but much smaller quantities. These anthocyanins and catechins protect the cells like no other substances. They pull this off by preventing excessive amounts of cell oxidation. When cells last longer, you last longer. Not only will you look younger, but you might also add a few years to your life.
Cacao naturally contains certain substances called MAO inhibitors, which reduce appetite. You can find these in many weight loss products around the world.
Cacao contains high amounts of magnesium which boosts energy levels and guards against osteoporosis. It also contains theobromine, a gentle stimulant closely related to caffeine, but it won’t give you the same jitters or inevitable energy crash. Theobromine can improve cognitive function, enhance performance, boost mood, and promote overall cardiovascular health. Alongside theobromine, cacao contains caffeine, another stimulant in a class of alkaloids known as xanthines. A 2.5-tablespoon serving of 100% cacao powder provides you with about 50 mg of caffeine, or roughly half the amount of a cup of coffee. The most caffeinated cacao comes from Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru.
Research suggests that kava could help treat the symptoms of anxiety disorders. In a randomized controlled trial from 2013, scientists gave 75 people with anxiety disorders either kava extract or a placebo drug over 6 weeks. At the end of the study, they found that kava had a small but significant effect on reducing anxiety symptoms. Aside from headaches, the participants did not report liver problems or other side effects.
Kava could help induce sleep due to its anxiolytic effects. For this reason, people also use it as an alternative therapy for sleep disorders.
It is largely unknown how kavalactones produce these effects, but they appear to work by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that nerves release to communicate with each other. One of these neurotransmitters is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which decreases the activity of nerves.