Sometimes you have to end your day with something sweet, it just is the rule. When it comes to what that something sweet is though, that is up to you! We love making this homemade chocolate bake because we can add in our favorite mix-ins but also because it has ashwagandha and the power of our Cacao Calm blend in it. What does that mean exactly? Keeping reading to find out.
Our Chocolate bark has the power of plant botanicals in it. Because it has our cacao calm collagen support blend mixed in with it, it has superfoods like tremella mushroom, amla berry, and bamboo leaf extract that can naturally help support your body's collagen production.* This means while you are eating something sweet and delicious you will also be supporting your hair, skin, and nails.
Our Cacao Calm collagen support blend also includes ingredients like ashwagandha and cacao that have even more added benefits
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a herb that is classified as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are herbs that help our bodies respond to external stressors. They’re known for their health benefits, especially when ingested as a supplement, powder, or extract. Ashwagandha in particular has long been used to manage stress and ease anxiety and has been used for over 3,000 years as a staple in Ayurvedic medicine. Besides fighting stress, Ashwagandha has been shown to have some other incredible benefits to support your internal and external health.*
Ashwagandha root is packed with powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols, which can help reduce the levels of free radicals in the body and can minimize signs of aging, according to one 2016 study. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals and enhance the body’s resistance to oxidative stress to improve skin health and may help prevent early signs of aging.
Not only does it help with stress, but ashwagandha can potentially help with hair loss.* Using an adaptogen like ashwagandha can help control follicle damage and hair loss by helping manage stress and anxiety effects within the body*. Ashwagandha can increase DHEA synthesis in the body which is a naturally occurring hormone in your body that is antioxidant-like. Due to this, it can aid the elimination of free radicals from your scalp and hair which supports the hair growth process*.
Cacao
Cacao and cocoa begin their lives as the same plant, Theobroma cacao. All chocolate, in all its forms, comes from Theobroma cacao, which is native to South America (where Copina Co.'s Cacao Calm Blend comes from). The short answer about what distinguishes them is that cacao is processed with low heat and cocoa is processed with high heat. This process makes cacao the purest and most nutrient-dense form of chocolate you can consume containing over 300 different compounds that are essential to our overall health and well-being.*
Cacao powder, in its purest form, contains more fiber and calories than cocoa powder because it does not contain any additives. Cacao is an excellent source of healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and protein that make it a great source of nutrients. Cacao is a natural source of the chemicals phenylethylamine (PEA) and anandamide, an adrenal-related chemical that our bodies naturally create when we are feeling excited. This chemical also helps us to also feel alert and focused. Our Cacao Calm Collagen Support Blend makes a great morning drink to help start your day on the right foot.
Cacao contains high amounts of antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, which have been linked to reducing inflammation and overall improved well-being.* It’s especially rich in flavanols which are said to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in our bodies.*
We love making a cacao calm latte before bed (all you need is a scoop of our cacao calm collagen support blend and hot water or milk) to have something chocolatey before bed. But this chocolate bark helps elevate our chocolate nightcap dreams with chopped almonds and coconut. Delish!
If you liked this chocolate heaven recipe, you'll love our other collagen boosting recipes:
- Vegan Snickers Bites
- Superfood Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Skin-Boosting Collagen Bites
- Cacao Calm Flourless Cookies
- Chocolate Beauty Chia Pudding
