Ep 34 - Food of the Gods Part 2: The Nutrition of Chocolate

Nutrition for Noobs

Join Kevin (our Nutrition Noob) and Michelle (the Registered Holistic Nutritionist) as they nerd out with special guest María Mancini Cenobio, who owns and operates Mayana Cacao, continuing their two-part deep dive into cacao, the "Food of the Gods." In this rich, flavorful episode, they unpack:

Health Benefits of Quality Chocolate

• How cacao flavanols boost nitric oxide, aiding blood flow, reducing diabetes risk, and protecting heart and brain health
• Insights from the Kuna people and Harvard’s Norman Hollenberg: how drinking 5 cups of cacao daily contributed to low rates of stroke, dementia, and hypertension

Mood, Mind & Metabolism

• The role of anandamide and theobromine in serotonin release, mental well-being, and gentle energy—plus why dark chocolate can outshine coffee for calm alertness
• Evidence-backed portion guides: just half an ounce of dark chocolate boosts antioxidant levels and supports LDL oxidation control

Ethical & Environmental Impact

• Why paying more for single-origin, ethically sourced cacao helps farmers thrive, protects biodiversity, and ensures premium quality—as María shares from her own small-batch chocolate-making venture

Practical Tips & Tasting Takeaways

• Learn how to choose high‑quality dark chocolate: minimal ingredients, high cacao percentage, transparency on sourcing
• Discover how to enjoy cacao mindfully—whether as a soothing drinking chocolate or baking-grade ingredient
• Expert advice on balancing taste and nutrition while minimizing sugar and caffeine intake

Maria's company: https://www.mayana.ca/

You can find María's chocolate at mayana.ca, and she is offering our Noobs 10% off by using code "N4N10" at checkout on her website. Thanks María!

Ready to fall in love with chocolate all over again? Tune in to rediscover cacao—from its ancestral roots to its modern-day superfood benefits. Subscribe, leave a review, and connect with us at [email protected] or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nutritionfornoobs.