High flavanol cocoa is well known for its wide array of potential health benefits, with marked improvements in cognitive health, cardiovascular health, skin health, and multiple other areas having been supported by decades of research. Making high flavanol cocoa a regular part of your diet, then, is important to consider especially in addressing related issues that can arise or become more severe as we age, but it can be hard to know where to start when choosing the right product. Knowing what to look for in organic cocoa products as well as when and how much to take per day are just as vital for getting the most out of its positive health effects. Read on to learn more about how to choose and use high flavanol cocoa products:
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High Flavanol Cocoa and Flavanol Content
It is widely understood that dark chocolate, which is higher in its cocoa content than milk chocolate, is therefore healthier to consume, with 70% being commonly cited as a target percentage. While this is broadly true, however, it is important to realize that high cocoa content does not automatically equate to high flavanol content due to processing techniques present with almost all commercial grade cocoa that can reduce it substantially. When looking for high flavanol cocoa and its specific health benefits, paying attention to the actual flavanol content is most important. Products that claim to be high flavanol should be able to disclose the amounts per serving, and while many such products fall in the range of 150-750 mg, some can do even better than this amount.
High Flavanol Cocoa and Minimal Processing
As mentioned already, related to the previous issue of cocoa percentage vs. flavanol content is how the product is processed. Contrary to what some might think, most commercially available dark chocolate is often heavily processed in ways similar to milk chocolate, removing much of the flavanol content and removing the health benefits as a result. “Dutch-processed” or “alkalized” cocoa products are treated to soften their taste and appear more traditionally chocolatey but lose nearly all their positive effects as a result, and should be avoided when looking to high flavanol cocoa for its benefits. Instead, look out for organic, naturally processed, or even raw cocoa products to ensure the flavanol content has remained intact.
Usage of High Flavanol Cocoa
Once you’ve found your high flavanol cocoa product, however, it’s just as important to know when to take it and how much to take in order to have the best chance of getting optimal results. In terms of a daily dosage, most studies looking at benefits of cocoa flavanols ranging from heart health to cognitive health to multiple other areas seem to indicate 500 mg to 1,000 mg to be a good target amount. In addition to this, taking your daily dosage with a normal meal and in the morning or early afternoon should help with absorption and may help optimize the benefits to cardiovascular and cognitive health as well.
Key Takeaways:
Look to flavanol content instead of just percentage cocoa when selecting a high flavanol cocoa product
Look for organic, naturally-processed, or raw cocoa products when looking to flavanol content as well
Take a 500-1,000mg daily dosage of high flavanol cocoa with a meal and in the morning or early afternoon to optimize benefits
Phillip McCauley
Phillip McCauley is the owner of Natural Zing and Vital Purple at TheOrganicCacao.com.
Writer / Researcher: Trey Norbey
