Over the past few decades, research into potential superfoods has consistently singled out high flavanol cocoa as one with several powerful health benefits. With strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as the potential to improve cognitive function and focus, cardiovascular health, blood pressure, and reduce risk of diabetes and multiple other categories of disease, taking high flavanol cocoa supplements regularly may prove a smart choice when working toward your health goals.
For someone who is looking to start regularly taking high flavanol cocoa, there are many options on the market. With different high flavanol cocoa brands making opposing claims on everything from flavanol content to processing methods to safety testing and more, however, it can be difficult to decide which to choose. Complicating the issue further are the different forms high flavanol cocoa is sold in, from supplements to powder to snack bars as well as the different expected benefits each brand lists and your personal health goals. Read on for a breakdown of some of the best and most popular high flavanol cocoa brands on the market to see which one comes out on top:
Best High Flavanol Cocoa Powder Brands
Table of contents
1.) Vital Purple
While Vital Purple certainly can be placed among the most flavanol-dense high flavanol cocoa products on the market for offering 900mg per serving, this is nowhere near the only way they set themselves apart. Where other minimally-processed brands continue to use roasting, which will always compromise the flavanol and nutrient content to some degree, Vital Purple cocoa is preserved in the most raw and natural state possible. No other product on the market is currently able to offer this.
In addition to this, its distinct purple coloration comes from its anthocyanin content, which takes high flavanol cocoa’s already powerful health benefits up a notch by further boosting its protection against heart disease, certain types of cancer, and even cognitive decline. Anthocyanins have their own antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making those effects even stronger as well. Vital Purple’s sourcing is also crucial, with Ecuador’s Arriba Nacional Cacao being exceptionally pure even as compared to other sources of high flavanol cocoa.
The other markers such as testing and scientific backing see Vital Purple scoring very highly as well. You’ll find more info on how their product is sourced, processed, tested for safety and efficacy, and supported by the research than for any other leading high flavanol cocoa powder brand. Their cocoa is single-origin, rigorously tested for heavy metals, and more nutrient-dense than any other on the market today.
Follow along with us as we continue to discuss the Best High Flavanol Cocoa Powder Brands.
Key Takeaways:
Vital Purple is the best processed and among the most flavanol-dense on the market
Vital Purple’s distinct coloration shows its unique nutrient-density
Vital Purple is single-origin and sourced from the purest cacao in the world
2.) FlavaNaturals
FlavaNaturals is another brand that offers multiple high flavanol cocoa products, from 500mg per serving dark chocolate bars to 600mg per serving chocolate milk to 900mg per serving high flavanol cocoa powder. They tout many of the most important benefits of high flavanol cocoa, from improved heart health and cognitive function to better blood sugar regulation and physical performance. FlavaNaturals is also transparent with their processing methods, covering the methods of sourcing and roasting that they claim best preserves the product’s flavanol content.
The main drawback with FlavaNaturals is that any processing method where roasting is involved will not preserve the cocoa’s flavanol content as perfectly as they may wish to. When cocoa is kept in its raw state, as with brands like Vital Purple, the flavanol content is much better preserved as are the other nutrients organically found in the cacao plant itself. Even the “most premium” high flavanol cocoa beans in the world are not immune to the effects of roasting.
Key Takeaways:
FlavaNaturals offers multiple high flavanol products up to 900mg per serving
FlavaNaturals’ use of roasting means their product will not be as well-preserved as some others
3.) CocoaVia
CocoaVia brand high flavanol cocoa supplements make many of the same claims as the two leading brands, with the only immediately noticeable drawback being the relative flavanol content. Where Vital Purple and FlavaNaturals both offer 900mg per serving products, CocoaVia’s main offering and their Memory+ variety come in at 500mg and 750mg respectively. This means you’ll be getting a bit less bang for your buck as well, with FlavaNaturals being similarly priced and Vital Purple being significantly more affordable than both.
They do well in other areas, however, being very transparent about their sourcing and processing methods as well as the science that backs up their products’ health claims. They claim rigorous quality testing at every stage of production, though their use of roasting does still put them at a disadvantage when compared to the best, most unprocessed high flavanol cocoa on the market. Still, they are certainly among the more traceable and verifiable brands in the space on the whole.
Key Takeaways:
CocoaVia’s product is less flavanol-dense than both Vital Purple and FlavaNaturals
CocoaVia is well-sourced and tested, but still uses roasting in its process
4.) Black Forest
Black Forest brand high flavanol cocoa powder is unique in claiming to have the highest flavanol content of any of the major brands currently on the market, with a reported 600mg each of cocoa flavanols and flavanoids. This puts them in the position to focus much of their marketing on the male vitality side of the health food industry, with much of the info you’ll see forefronting high flavanol cocoa’s workout-related health benefits. Cardio performance, circulation, and muscle recovery are where these products tend to focus.
On the other hand, this means that they don’t spend nearly as much time and effort discussing their product in terms of processing methods, testing, or efficacy as do other leading brands. It’s easy to find Black Forest claiming their product to be Good Manufacturing Practices approved as well as tested for heavy metals like most others, but beyond that they are not nearly as front-and-center with this information as most other companies are.
Key Takeaways:
Black Forest claims the highest flavanol/flavanoid content on the market at 1200mg per serving
Black Forest does not focus on testing and efficacy claims to the degree other leading brands do
5.) Bryan Johnson
Bryan Johnson brand high flavanol cocoa powder makes many of the same claims that other brands do, touting its third party testing and transparent results as well as an ingredient list and dosage that is backed up by the relevant research. Most of the same health benefits that other brands will tout show up for them as well, notably those relating to high flavanol cocoa’s energy-boosting, antioxidant, and cognitive health effects. They also note that their high flavanol cocoa is 100% pure, low-fat, unsweetened, and keto friendly.
While they additionally claim an “elite level of flavanols”, however, their products only contain around 400mg per serving, by far the lowest of the leading brands. Also, unlike other brands, their flavanol content is not typically listed on the front of their packaging. As discussed in previous blog posts, the upper end of the 500mg-1,000mg per serving range is where the best current research suggests benefits from regular intake of high flavanol cocoa can be maximized, putting Bryan Johnson at a disadvantage.
Key Takeaways:
Bryan Johnson makes similar testing and efficacy claims to leading high flavanol brands
Bryan Johnson’s 400mg per serving flavanol content puts them at a disadvantage
Phillip McCauley
Phillip McCauley is the owner of Natural Zing and Vital Purple at TheOrganicCacao.com.
Writer / Researcher: Trey Norbey
