Short Answer: Yep, It can!
We’re not in the business of chocolate bars, but we are in the business of making snacks that sneak in a little goodness to your day, which includes CHOCOLATE.
And it turns out the cacao and chocolate chips we use do more than make your snacks delicious, they can actually support your mental wellbeing.
Here’s how:
Tryptophan: The Serotonin Starter
Cacao contains tryptophan, an amino acid that your body uses to produce serotonin the “happy hormone.” Serotonin plays a key role in mood regulation, sleep and stress reduction [1].
Pairing tryptophan-rich foods like cacao with fibre or complex carbs (like the ones in our snacks) may help boost its effectiveness by aiding its transport across the blood-brain barrier [2].
PEA (Phenylethylamine): The Love Chemical
Phenylethylamine (PEA) is a natural compound in cacao known to stimulate the release of endorphins and mimic the brain chemistry of someone in love [3]. It’s what gives chocolate that mood-boosting, butterflies-in-your-stomach kind of magic.
Theobromine: Calm Energy, Activated
Cacao contains theobromine, a gentle stimulant that boosts energy and focus without the crash of caffeine [4]. It provides a slow, sustained release of alertness, perfect for keeping you going through that afternoon slump.
Flavanols: Brain-Boosting Antioxidants
Cacao is rich in flavanols, antioxidant compounds that improve blood flow to the brain [5]. This increase in circulation supports memory, attention, and overall cognitive function [6].
Magnesium: The Calm-Down Mineral
Cacao is also a great source of magnesium, a mineral involved in over 300 bodily processes, including mood regulation, stress management and sleep quality [7]. Many people are unknowingly deficient, so a little cacao can help top things up.
Together, these naturally occurring compounds in cacao create a little spark of joy, especially when combined with nourishing fats, fibre and plant-based protein in our snacks. It’s not just a treat, it’s a tiny wellbeing ritual.
So, what does this all mean for you (aside from eating feel-good snacks)?
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Chocolate can genuinely support your mood thanks to naturally occurring compounds like tryptophan, PEA, theobromine, flavanols and magnesium.
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Not all chocolate is created equal. Ours is rich in cacao and consciously crafted.
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Pairing chocolate with fibre, protein, and healthy fats creates a more balanced, blood-sugar-friendly treat that supports energy and mood.
Ready for a better snack that tastes good and does good?
Try our Chocolaty snacks here → Shop the range
References
Rachael’s Raw Food. Raw Cacao for Hormonal Balance: Facts and Myths.
Create a Happier World. Chocolate and Serotonin: How Does It Boost Your Happiness?
Cacao King. The Science Behind Cacao and Endorphin Production.
ScienceDirect. Chocolate and the brain: Neurobiological impact of cocoa flavanols on human cognition.
Frontiers in Nutrition. Enhancing Human Cognition with Cocoa Flavonoids.
Sacred Taste. Can Cacao Promote Deep Sleep?
