Who doesn’t love chocolates? Men, women, and children—everyone craves it, but at the same time, many fear it too for its health effects. They’re mostly known for their sugar and fat content, which can not only impact your weight but also increase your risk of various conditions like diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs), digestive problems, and more.
But what if we told you that not all chocolates are harmful for health and that some that contain cocoa may actually benefit your body, particularly your cardiovascular health? While research is still inconclusive and many researchers are weighing the benefits and risks of cocoa powder, there have been studies that suggest dark chocolates, which are rich in cocoa, are a good source of antioxidants that can improve heart health and may even boost brain function.
The OnlyMyHealth team spoke with Dr Sukriti Bhalla, Consultant Cardiologist, Aakash Healthcare, New Delhi, to unravel the truth and understand whether or not cocoa powder can be beneficial for the heart.
Also Read: Happy Chocolate Day: How Chocolates Boost Mood and Enhance Mental Health
Benefits Of Cocoa Powder
Chocolates are made with the cacao bean, which is the seed of a fruit found on a cacao tree. These beans have a powerful nutritional profile that boasts fibre, which improves digestive health, and antioxidant compounds called flavanols, which help fight inflammation and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Moreover, the flavanols in cocoa powder are also believed to improve memory, learning, and focus.
Additionally, while cocoa powder contains some calories, it can also help regulate appetite and reduce cravings. It has mood-boosting chemicals like anandamide and phenylethylamine, which can have a positive impact on mood and may even help combat symptoms of depression.
Can Cocoa Powder Really Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease?
According to Dr Bhalla, unsweetened cocoa powder may have some heart health benefits.
Highlighting a study published in the Cambridge University Press, she shares that people who consumed cocoa flavanols, found in dark hot chocolate, showed improvements in several markers of cardiovascular health, including blood flow, blood pressure, blood vessel elasticity, and cholesterol levels.
The Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study, or COSMOS, a large 2022 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, also found that daily cocoa extract supplements containing flavanols could reduce heart disease and stroke risk in older adults. While the overall rate of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events wasn't significantly lowered, the study did find a surprising benefit: a 27% reduction in deaths caused by cardiovascular disease among those taking cocoa extract.
Also Read: Benefits Packed In A Bar Of Dark Chocolate
Also, in early 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also gave a green light to the use of certain qualified health claims regarding the consumption of cocoa flavanols in high flavanol cocoa powder and said that it "may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease."
However, the agency concluded that there is very limited scientific evidence for this claim.
Dr Bhalla says that while cocoa powder may have some health benefits, if it is consumed with sugar and fat, it may not be that beneficial for the heart.
Therefore, it is advised to choose unsweetened cocoa powder, have it in moderation, and also consider allergies.
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