Common Name Standardized: chocolateOther: cacao Botanical Name Theobroma cacao L.Plant Family: Sterculiaceae Overview IntroductionCacao beans and nibs have a long and colorful history, beginning inCentral and South America before 1500 BC. The entire cacao fruit wasused medicinally by the Mayan, Olmec and Aztec civilizations. Theseearly American peoples also enjoyed consuming chocolate as a beverage;each culture adding its own mix of spices and flavorings to the drink.After the Spanish conquest in the 1500's, cacao made its way to Europeand began to spread worldwide.The beans are rich in magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper,manganese and potassium, and are a good source of vitamins A, B1, B2,B3, C, E and pantothenic acid.ConstituentsCaffeine, flavonoids, phenylethylalamine, anandamide, magnesium, sulfur, oleic acid, theobromine, tryptophan,Cacao beans and nibs contain more flavonoid antioxidants than mostother vegetables and fruits, with up to four times as much concentratedantioxidants as green tea.Parts UsedBeans, either whole or broken into nibsTypical PreparationsEaten raw-as is, or roasted, brewed, and powdered into tea. Usedabundantly in food and other consumables. Sometimes found in extractform.SummaryCacao beans and nibs contain a number of constituents with provenhealth benefits, but many of these constituents are destroyed orlessened when processed. Health practitioners recommend that anyoneinterested in eating cacao for its health benefits use raw, unprocessedcacao beans and nibs rather than processed chocolate. Precautions Specific: Cacao bean contains caffeine and may cause nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, and, occaionally, rapid heartbeat. Not recommended for use by children under the age of 18.General: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.