{"id":163904,"date":"2022-11-18T15:26:45","date_gmt":"2022-11-18T15:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=163904"},"modified":"2026-04-16T10:49:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T10:49:33","slug":"ayurveda-uses-benefits-side-effects-of-cocoa-powder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/ayurveda-uses-benefits-side-effects-of-cocoa-powder\/","title":{"rendered":"Cocoa Powder: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Smita Barode"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

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Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
Nutritional Value of Cocoa Powder<\/a><\/li>
Properties of Cocoa Powder<\/a><\/li>
Potential Uses of Cocoa Powder for Overall Health<\/a><\/li>
How to Use Cocoa Powder?<\/a><\/li>
Side Effects of Cocoa Powder<\/a><\/li>
Precautions to Take with Cocoa Powder<\/a><\/li>
Interactions with Other Drugs<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nChocolates are a well known snack for all age groups and are an indulgent confection. The major ingredient of chocolate is cocoa powder which has several health benefits. Cocoa beans are procured from the cocoa tree (Theobroma cocoa<\/em>) and since 460 AD the cocoa has been used as edible food. Chocolate consumption globally ranges from 0.12 kg per person per year in China to 11.85 kg in Ireland. Developed countries consume about 64% of the total cocoa consumption and the Ivory Coast in Africa is the largest cocoa bean producing country worldwide1<\/a><\/sup>. Cocoa is a dried and fully fermented seed of cocoa fruit. The paste made from cocoa beans by grounding, roasting, shelling, and fermenting is the cocoa liquor. Cocoa powder is further made by removing the cocoa butter from cocoa liquor 1<\/a><\/sup>. There are several health benefits of cocoa powder and let us have a look at it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/span>Nutritional Value of Cocoa Powder<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nCocoa powder may contain bioactive compounds like polyphenols 1<\/a><\/sup>. The nutritional content of cocoa powder is:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Energy:<\/strong> 598 kcal\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Water:<\/strong> 1.37 g\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Carbohydrate:<\/strong> 45.9 g\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Protein:<\/strong> 7.79 g\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Fat:<\/strong> 42.6 g\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Sugar:<\/strong> 24 g<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Fiber:<\/strong> 10.9 g\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Iron:<\/strong> 11.9 mg\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Magnesium:<\/strong> 228 mg<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Potassium:<\/strong> 715 mg\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Calcium:<\/strong> 73 mg<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Phosphorus:<\/strong> 308 mg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Properties of Cocoa Powder<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Several studies showed that cocoa powder might have the following properties:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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It may be an antioxidant\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may lower the blood pressure\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may improve heart health\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may reduce the risk of diabetes\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may boost immunity\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may protect against cancer\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may protect against neurodegeneration\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may enhance mood 1<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n
It may act as an anti-inflammatory 3<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Potential Uses of Cocoa Powder for Overall Health<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some of the potential benefits of eating cocoa powder are described as follows:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Potential Use of Cocoa Powder for Lowering Blood Pressure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"blood$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
The association between cocoa powder and blood pressure was first observed in Zutphen Elderly Study (a major study 1<\/a><\/sup> confirmed by randomized controlled trials). Another study suggested that high flavanol consumption like cocoa powder may reduce blood pressure. Cocoa powder may help in reducing blood pressure and more research is required to check whether cocoa powder can reduce blood pressure in humans. However, it is vital to check your blood pressure regularly and consult your doctor in case of high blood pressure.<\/p>
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