Welcome to a most informative and inspiring show about the amazing ancient superfood of cacao! 

This episode will give you everything you need to know about its remarkable health benefits, healing properties, and how to choose the most sustainable, eco-friendly, fair-trade bean-to-bar products. You will learn about the fascinating history of cacao as a sacred food, currency, and medicine, why it remains one of the most highly regarded superfoods on the planet, and how the food industry took this extraordinary raw material, stripped out everything useful, and transformed it into little more than a heavily sugared version of the original.

Along the way, I explain the science in plain English—from the powerful polyphenols that support your heart, brain, blood pressure, gut microbiome, metabolism, and mood, to why cacao may be the single most antioxidant-rich food you can eat.

I also reveal the disturbing reality behind much of today's commercial chocolate industry, including how mainstream processing destroys many of cacao's most valuable compounds and why ethical sourcing matters. You'll learn the difference between raw cacao powder, cacao nibs, and high-percentage dark chocolate, how to identify truly high-quality bean-to-bar chocolate, why I became a dark chocolate connoisseur, and the artisan brands I recommend.

When this episode is over, you're never going to look at a chocolate bar the same way again, and you'll be fully armed to make the best product purchasing decisions and obtain the maximum benefits from consuming foods high in nutritious cacao.

 

TIMESTAMPS:

Cacao is one of the most highly regarded superfoods on the planet. [00:56]

When you are finished listening to this episode, you will never look at a chocolate bar the same way again. [02:28]

The best way to enjoy chocolate is to put it on your tongue and allow the flavor to dissolve in your mouth. [06:38]

The history of cacao is fascinating. It is one of the most nutrient dense, biologically active foods in all of human history. [08:10]

Early civilationa learned to ferment, roast, and grind cacao beans into a drink. It was more than a flavoring agent, it was very much a spriitual centerpiece as well as used for medicinal purposes. [10:11]

After the Europeans added sugar to cacao, it lost some of its medicinal purpose, although it still is a good source of antioxidants. [12:29]

There are many cardiovascular benefits from cacao. It improves platelet function.  [18:17]

Cacao has been shown in studies to produce meaningful reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It is also known to help boost levels of HDL (high density lipoproteins.) [20:55]

Cacao consumption improves your overall lipid profiles, including helping with healthy triglyceride levels. [27:24]

Does cacao help with weight loss goals? [28:27]

Cacao has an impact on brain function and mood. [31:37]

In contrast to the powerful, hard and fast effects of caffeine, theobromine in cacao works more slowly. It has a gentler mechanism and a longer half life. [35:08]

Studies show wonderful benefits from cacao on the gut. It has been identified as a potent prebiotic which is what feed probiotics to flourish in the intestinal tract. [38:59]

Reasearch shows cacao has properties protecting you from UV damage from sunburn. [46:35]

Just how damaging to health is mainstream modern chocolate processing? One of the terrible aspects of the low-priced chocolate is because of the support of child slave labor harvesting these beans. [50:02]

Look for the designation of "bean to bar" on the product. It should also have cacao beans as the first ingredient. [55:05]

In mainstream processing of the beans, they have to use super high temperatures which degrades the polyphenol. [57:17]

There are three categories of products which can deliver these wonderful health benefits. [01:00:07]

When the bar is above 80%, this is where most of the research showing cardiovascular cognitive benefits was conducted. The words "cacao beans" should be the first ingredient on the label. [01:05:53]

Brad lists his recommendations for good chocolate bars. [01:19:44]

How much chocolate should one consume? [[01:29:06]

Do not refrigerate high quality dark chocolate. [01:32:50]

 

LINKS:
Brad Kearns.com
BradNutrition.com
B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet!
Brad’s Shopping Page
BornToWalkBook.com
B.rad Podcast – All Episodes
Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes
B.rad Podcast – All Episodes
Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes
Burn
The Primal Blueprint
Podcast with Shawn Askinosie (Chocolate)
Podcast with Todd White (Dry Farm Wine)
Dry Farm Wines
Askinosie Chocolate
Chocovivo
Cocoa Runners
Nomosu
Pump Street Chocolate
Puna Chocolate
Ranger Chocolate
Rausch
Spring and Mulberry

 

We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!

Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:

B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Get 20% OFF your first order!

Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off!

Jaspr Air Scrubber: Ultra high-performance air purifier - blows other air filters away! Save $200 on your unit with code BRAD.

Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD.

Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience

Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!

#bradpodcast

Welcome to a most informative and inspiring show about the amazing ancient superfood of cacao! 
This episode will give you everything you need to know about its remarkable health benefits, healing properties, and how to choose the most sustainable, eco-friendly, fair-trade bean-to-bar products. You will learn about the fascinating history of cacao as a sacred food, currency, and medicine, why it remains one of the most highly regarded superfoods on the planet, and how the food industry took this extraordinary raw material, stripped out everything useful, and transformed it into little more than a heavily sugared version of the original.
Along the way, I explain the science in plain English&mdash;from the powerful polyphenols that support your heart, brain, blood pressure, gut microbiome, metabolism, and mood, to why cacao may be the single most antioxidant-rich food you can eat.
I also reveal the disturbing reality behind much of today's commercial chocolate industry, including how mainstream processing destroys many of cacao's most valuable compounds and why ethical sourcing matters. You'll learn the difference between raw cacao powder, cacao nibs, and high-percentage dark chocolate, how to identify truly high-quality bean-to-bar chocolate, why I became a dark chocolate connoisseur, and the artisan brands I recommend.
When this episode is over, you're never going to look at a chocolate bar the same way again, and you'll be fully armed to make the best product purchasing decisions and obtain the maximum benefits from consuming foods high in nutritious cacao.
&nbsp;
TIMESTAMPS:
Cacao is one of the most highly regarded superfoods on the planet. [00:56]
When you are finished listening to this episode, you will never look at a chocolate bar the same way again. [02:28]
The best way to enjoy chocolate is to put it on your tongue and allow the flavor to dissolve in your mouth. [06:38]
The history of cacao is fascinating. It is one of the most nutrient dense, biologically active foods in all of human history. [08:10]
Early civilationa learned to ferment, roast, and grind cacao beans into a drink. It was more than a flavoring agent, it was very much a spriitual centerpiece as well as used for medicinal purposes. [10:11]
After the Europeans added sugar to cacao, it lost some of its medicinal purpose, although it still is a good source of antioxidants. [12:29]
There are many cardiovascular benefits from cacao. It improves platelet function.&nbsp; [18:17]
Cacao has been shown in studies to produce meaningful reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It is also known to help boost levels of HDL (high density lipoproteins.) [20:55]
Cacao consumption improves your overall lipid profiles, including helping with healthy triglyceride levels. [27:24]
Does cacao help with weight loss goals? [28:27]
Cacao has an impact on brain function and mood. [31:37]
In contrast to the powerful, hard and fast effects of caffeine, theobromine in cacao works more slowly. It has a gentler mechanism and a longer half life. [35:08]
Studies show wonderful benefits from cacao on the gut. It has been identified as a potent prebiotic which is what feed probiotics to flourish in the intestinal tract. [38:59]
Reasearch shows cacao has properties protecting you from UV damage from sunburn. [46:35]
Just how damaging to health is mainstream modern chocolate processing? One of the terrible aspects of the low-priced chocolate is because of the support of child slave labor harvesting these beans. [50:02]
Look for the designation of "bean to bar" on the product. It should also have cacao beans as the first ingredient. [55:05]
In mainstream processing of the beans, they have to use super high temperatures which degrades the polyphenol. [57:17]
There are three categories of products which can deliver these wonderful health benefits. [01:00:07]
When the bar is above 80%, this is where most of the research showing cardiovascular cognitive benefits was conducted. The words "cacao beans" should be the first ingredient on the label. [01:05:53]
Brad lists his recommendations for good chocolate bars. [01:19:44]
How much chocolate should one consume? [[01:29:06]
Do not refrigerate high quality dark chocolate. [01:32:50]
&nbsp;
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/podcast-index/">Brad Kearns.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bradnutrition.com/">BradNutrition.com</a></li>
<li><a href="about:blank">B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/shop/">Brad&rsquo;s Shopping Page</a></li>
<li><a href="http://borntowalkbook.com/">BornToWalkBook.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/podcast-index/">B.rad Podcast &ndash; All Episodes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://peluva.com/?view=cro-id28570">Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Longevity-Peter-Attia-MD/dp/0593236599/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11VG9OIWDYDEN&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YUxA6UoAabaT0qCyg3O2joFZDw8jKrQ8h3Slvy8Es0M7Kt_QomDoljROTVG1rSixx-II0vKMPamtVWkuQUf5pMM1F7ZWzyAFffHMmkyRGnojtOUu5hYbp4AMg5TYCjEs7SLiB0tHgmCsZlEOjWGoz8540x-a_7iC17mRFmQJPouAhJbj1buFkLazY8jWrdoJAnVol53XnHzKE0A4cw0n6lUG-iyD_DOrwl4mhASWf0w.laZgXJb8OzvjVxBaEkxLX7aSdyd4sQZybNL0SysGbtU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=outlive&amp;qid=1748894874&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=outlive%2Cstripbooks%2C151&amp;sr=1-1"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/podcast-index/">B.rad Podcast &ndash; All Episodes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://peluva.com/?view=cro-id28570">Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Research-Really-Calories-Healthy/dp/0593421043/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3UPBX7D6UQGIC&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6gejETGWkB23I_fAGb18S0IdyLrhpdVYaNI6OKMblEXN5szht3_KYPanrrr6Z9Azpd_B1DnKnOsEblDohvJ48KBAq5V1V74hF3qN5bGgCmvZo6EUzrk3grz9AvgXjT5fr8AtjGL3GFK6XM-ywbvVhI6ywuZ008rCqjqc2gtHPAfv11UdmyvWsUcX1FSj-hUc27qP-YE8BKZMJpwhMeYIO26AcGGmX5YN3e1k8uILGJM.lb0cpOKM9QBwvgKbHMm221UbP_FfBsbwLva0aMYOpxs&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=burn&amp;qid=1783554256&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=burn%2Cstripbooks%2C201&amp;sr=1-1">Burn</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Primal-Blueprint-Mark-Sisson/dp/193956347X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YKONUSHPDWC1&amp;keywords=The+Primal+Blueprint&amp;qid=1649291364&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=the+primal+blueprint,stripbooks,126&amp;sr=1-1">The Primal Blueprint</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/shawn-askinosie-doing-meaningful-work-and-eating-good-chocolate/">Podcast with Shawn Askinosie</a> (Chocolate)</li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/toddwhite/">Podcast with Todd White</a> (Dry Farm Wine)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.dryfarmwines.com/">Dry Farm Wines</a></li>
<li><a href="https://askinosie.com/">Askinosie Chocolate</a></li>
<li><a href="https://chocovivo.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=usbrandsearch&amp;utm_term=chocovivo&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23515463008&amp;gbraid=0AAAAApnOY7TjeVAEXkh2R67SkYx_2KvQh&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw6rfSBhAqEiwA_yocppZEF4V-EFoY_CSNOrU-CUTQusB59rjotOuaCueAR-Cvl_L6BfIvFRoCPg8QAvD_BwE">Chocovivo</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cocoarunners.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqqvWh_JPA3xYfStTS9MVyHWJZVg7-hz1eKlVkQo5v6DQzOWLOG">Cocoa Runners</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nomosu.com/">Nomosu</a></li>
<li><a href="https://barandcocoa.com/collections/pump-street?kendall_source=google&amp;kendall_campaign=23748841413&amp;kendall_adid=&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23754162437&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADhn8Gk0fChduLOivZDXCfeUuPqah&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw6rfSBhAqEiwA_yocpnzSwABNlYz05QSgTSKiRgDJuA_qzss59Gga2qwE-YgHiEY3kqel_xoCpzAQAvD_BwE">Pump Street Chocolate</a></li>
<li><a href="https://punachocolate.com/collections/events?srsltid=AfmBOopOHHSIO0HrL9ReAazY3MtWVJvdugIsOVWqsyjT-rzFuX2Gy56p">Puna Chocolate</a></li>
<li><a href="https://rangerchocolate.com/">Ranger Chocolate</a></li>
<li><a href="https://rausch.de/en?srsltid=AfmBOoqmUJPHZ1dZF1hkkv2Go5k5rHS1-CncA1b9qto8CoBnNMhB30PQ">Rausch</a></li>
<li><a href="https://springandmulberry.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqLGnhCbzK3_RI7ip1dAYq00SbtNPcERVY7Ffa6B2XTMTm1UtBi">Spring and Mulberry</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&amp;A shows, emailed to <a href="mailto:getoveryourselfpodcast@gmail.com">podcast@bradventures.com</a>. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!
Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn&rsquo;t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won&rsquo;t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:
<a href="http://bradnutrition.com/?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">B.rad Nutrition:</a> Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Get 20% OFF your first order!
<a href="https://peluva.com/?sscid=91k7_1q58j&amp;utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Peluva</a>: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off!
<a href="https://jaspr.co/products/airscrubber?rfsn=8682396.a9fad4">Jaspr Air Scrubber:</a> Ultra high-performance air purifier - blows other air filters away! Save $200 on your unit with code BRAD.
<a href="http://getstride.com" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://getstride.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1744479083574000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2M5EotlxxWpksCKN7ZVyMD">Get Stride: </a>Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome &amp; blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD.
<a href="https://bradventures.thinkific.com/collections?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Online educational courses:</a>&nbsp;Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience
<a href="https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/brad/?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie">Primal Fitness Expert Certification</a>: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!
#bradpodcast

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author, world #1 ranked masters 60+ high jumper, Speedgolf world record holder, and former world #3 ranked pro triathlete, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Brad delivers an engaging mix of step-by-step education on important health topics like staying fit, strong and powerful as you age; transforming diet to lose body fat and increase energy; sort through hype and misinformation to make simple, sustainable lifestyle changes; and broaden your perspective beyond a fit body to experience happy relationships, nonstop personal growth, and ultimately sail to 100 with a happy, healthy, long life. Let’s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It’s time to B.rad!

 

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author, world #1 ranked masters 60+ high jumper, Speedgolf world record holder, and former world #3 ranked pro triathlete, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Brad delivers an engaging mix of step-by-step education on important health topics like staying fit, strong and powerful as you age; transforming diet to lose body fat and increase energy; sort through hype and misinformation to make simple, sustainable lifestyle changes; and broaden your perspective beyond a fit body to experience happy relationships, nonstop personal growth, and ultimately sail to 100 with a happy, healthy, long life. Let&rsquo;s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It&rsquo;s time to B.rad!
&nbsp;

Brad Kearns, NY Times bestselling author and world #1 masters age 60+ high jumper, offers a fun and diverse mix of interviews with leading authors and health experts, and  how-to shows for peak performance, weight loss, personal growth, and longevity

The B.rad Podcast

Today, we've been conditioned to believe that accelerated aging is normal — that getting older means slowing down, losing our competitive edge, and watching others from the sidelines. Brad Kearns is living proof that's a lie. A New York Times bestselling author, former world #3 ranked professional triathlete, and current world-ranked masters high jumper and 400-meter runner, Brad is competing and excelling into his 60s.

The B.rad Podcast informs and inspires you to see what's possible at any age. Every episode cuts through the hype and misinformation on the topics that matter most: ancestral nutrition and diet strategies that strip body fat and restore energy; training methods that build strength, power, speed, and endurance without destroying your body; recovery protocols that keep you performing at your peak; and the mindset shifts that help you thrive as you age instead of simply survive. This show offers a refreshing alternative to slowing down, giving up, and fading away.

Whether you're a competitive athlete looking to extend your prime, someone battling fatigue and frustration with conventional health advice, or simply a person who refuses to go quietly into a slower, smaller life — the B.rad Podcast was built for you. No shortcuts. No hype. Just world-class guests and actionable tips to help you dial in all areas of healthy living and lifelong functional fitness.

Enjoy step-by-step actionable protocols from Brad, as well as prominent guests like Mark Sisson, Dr. Paul Saladino, Ben Greenfield, Shawn Stevenson, Dr. Tommy Wood, Mark Manson, Katy Bowman, Gabby Reece, Cynthia Thurlow, and Melanie Avalon. Forget the age limitations. It's time to raise the bar. Visit BradKearns.com for free PDF resources, peak performance tools, and weekly insights delivered to your inbox.

Today, we've been conditioned to believe that accelerated aging is normal &mdash; that getting older means slowing down, losing our competitive edge, and watching others from the sidelines. Brad Kearns is living proof that's a lie.&nbsp;A New York Times bestselling author, former world #3 ranked professional triathlete, and current world-ranked masters high jumper and 400-meter runner, Brad is competing and excelling into his 60s.
The B.rad Podcast informs and inspires you to see what's possible at any age. Every episode cuts through the hype and misinformation on the topics that matter most: ancestral nutrition and diet strategies that strip body fat and restore energy; training methods that build strength, power, speed, and endurance without destroying your body; recovery protocols that keep you performing at your peak; and the mindset shifts that help you thrive as you age instead of simply survive. This show offers a refreshing alternative to slowing down, giving up, and fading away.
Whether you're a competitive athlete looking to extend your prime, someone battling fatigue and frustration with conventional health advice, or simply a person who refuses to go quietly into a slower, smaller life &mdash; the B.rad Podcast was built for you. No shortcuts. No hype. Just world-class guests and actionable tips to help you dial in all areas of healthy living and lifelong functional fitness.
Enjoy step-by-step actionable protocols from Brad, as well as prominent guests like Mark Sisson, Dr. Paul Saladino, Ben Greenfield, Shawn Stevenson, Dr. Tommy Wood, Mark Manson, Katy Bowman, Gabby Reece, Cynthia Thurlow, and Melanie Avalon. Forget the age limitations. It's time to raise the bar. Visit BradKearns.com for free PDF resources, peak performance tools, and weekly insights delivered to your inbox.