Cocoa flavanols are naturally occurring compounds in cocoa beans which can remain high in concentration through minimal processing. They are widely known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with organic high flavanol cocoa being stronger in these capacities than many other dietary options. Beyond just these effects, however, the potential health benefits of regularly consuming high flavanol cocoa are extensive and widely studied. Decades of research supports cocoa flavanol’s ability to improve cardiovascular health, skin health, and insulin sensitivity while also increasing several aspects of cognitive function. Here is a more in-depth look at five of the major health benefits that can come from regular consumption of organic high flavanol cocoa:
Table of contents
1.) Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
A 2012 paper by Andújar et al. cataloging the various benefits of high flavanol cocoa notes that “cocoa and chocolate have been described as potential medicines” as far back as the 1600s, and when looking toward modern research on the subject, it’s easy to see why. Among the most well-known properties of high flavanol cocoa are its use as an anti-inflammatory agent, with areas like the intestine being particularly affected by the compounds it contains. Chronic inflammation is linked to a higher risk of many different types of disease such as cancer and autoimmune disorders, and the regular intake of high flavanol cocoa is shown to be able to help mitigate this.
In addition, the antioxidant properties of high flavanol cocoa are important in reducing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic health conditions. Antioxidants do this mainly by aiding in the prevention of cell damage, and high flavanol cocoa is known to be richer in this capacity than other common dietary sources. By consuming organic high flavanol cocoa regularly, one can reduce the risk of some issues without having to take less appealing dietary supplements.
Key Takeaways:
● High flavanol cocoa can help prevent chronic inflammation
● High flavanol cocoa can help prevent cells from being damaged
● High flavanol cocoa can be linked to risk reduction for many types of disease
Vital Purple- High Flavanol Cocoa
Single Origin Fine Aroma Arriba Nacional Cacao, Not Crossbred
Regeneratively Grown in The Mountains of Ecuador
Superior in Minerals, Polyphenols, Antioxidants, Theobromine, Anthocyanins, Magnesium
Micronutrients of Vital Purple
900 Mg of Flavanols Per Serving
240 Mg of Polyphenols Per Serving
9 Mg of Theobromine Per Serving
520 Mg of Antioxidants Per Serving
A Stand Alone Category
Vital Purple is the most nutrient dense cacao in the world. No other cacao offers this powerful combination of high flavanols, antioxidants, anthocyanins.
2.) Improved Cardiovascular Health
Along with the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease that high flavanol cocoa’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities provide, a general increase in overall cardiovascular health can be linked to its regular consumption as well. Research such as the study done in 2003 by Karen J Murphy et. al finds that high flavanol cocoa powder may help prevent blood from clotting, with even just a single dose being shown to have this effect for up to six hours at a time.
Andújar et al.’s 2012 paper further notes that populations whose rate of organic high flavanol cocoa consumption is naturally high, such as the indigenous peoples of Panama, are among the few that don’t appear to be subject to the same age-related effects on blood pressure and cardiovascular mortality as everyone else. Other studies support this correlation as well, suggesting that high flavanol cocoa can be linked to a reduction in the risk of both stroke and coronary disease in addition to the overall benefits to cardiovascular health it can provide.
Key Takeaways:
● High flavanol cocoa can assist help prevent the blood from clotting
● High flavanol cocoa is linked to lower rates of age-based high blood pressure
● High flavanol cocoa can reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease
3.) Improved Cognitive Function
Research also suggests regular consumption of high flavanol cocoa may result in improved memory, focus, and general mental performance, with older adults being among the groups most positively affected. In a 2014 study published in Nature Neuroscience, Alzheimer's researcher Adam Brickman et al. found that when placed on a diet high in high flavanol cocoa for three months, subjects in the 50-69 age range showed increased function in regions of the brain associated with age-related cognitive decline as compared to the control group.
This improvement was shown by Brickman et al. through the use of fMRI as well as cognitive testing, with the research team suggesting that non-pharmological solutions forage-based cognitive decline, such as the regular intake of high flavanol cocoa, could be quite effective. Through its antioxidant properties as well as its ability to increase bloodflow, high flavanol cocoa is able to de-stress the brain and lead to improved memory,focus, and overall mental performance later in life.
Key Takeaways:
● High flavanol cocoa can improve memory, focus, and overall mental function
● High flavanol cocoa can help prevent age-based cognitive decline
● High flavanol cocoa can help de-stress the brain through increased blood flow
4.) Improved Skin Health
Another important effect of high flavanol cocoa’s ability to assist in blood flow, as shown by its anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties, is its impact on skin health. By allowing blood vessels to more easily carry nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, high flavanol cocoa can help to keep the skin more healthy and hydrated. The antioxidants contained within high flavanol cocoa are known to be natural sources of photoprotection as well, meaning that in addition to these abilities, high flavanol cocoa could even be linked to a reduction in the risk of erythema, or sunburn.
In a 2006 study looking at the differences between those placed on a low flavanol cocoa diet and a high flavanol cocoa diet, Ulrike Henrich et. al found a strong correlation suggesting an ability to reduce UV sensitivity in women. After twelve weeks, the high flavanol cocoa consuming group was shown to be up to 25% less sensitive, showing that regular, long-term consumption can be a factor in preventing inflammation of the skin due to heat exposure.
Key Takeaways:
● High flavanol cocoa can help keep the skin healthy and hydrated
● High flavanol cocoa can help reduce the risk of erythema (sunburn)
● High flavanol cocoa is shown to reduce UV sensitivity in women
5.) Improved Insulin Sensitivity
Insulin sensitivity, or the ability of insulin to break down natural sugars such as glucoseinto energy for the body, is an incredibly important factor to consider when thinkingabout risk reduction of type 2 diabetes. High flavanol cocoa’s cardiovascular healthbenefits go hand in hand with benefits in this area as well, with the 2008 paper by DavideGrassi et. al showing that consumption of high flavanol and high cocoa chocolate for justfifteen days could lead to better insulin sensitivity, lower insulin resistance, and evenlower blood pressure.
High flavanol cocoa’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties are, once again, likely to be responsible for this effect. By assisting in the reduction of intestinal inflammation, high flavanol cocoa allows the body to more easily digest other natural sugars such as those found in carbohydrates, while improving the digestibility of certain fats as well. And while many organic, whole foods are responsible for similar benefits, high flavanol cocoa is proven to be stronger in this capacity than other common dietary options.
Key Takeaways:
● High flavanol cocoa can help the body break down natural sugars
● High flavanol cocoa can reduce blood pressure
● High flavanol cocoa can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes
Phillip McCauley
Phillip McCauley is the owner of Natural Zing and Vital Purple at TheOrganicCacao.com.
Writer / Research Assisant: Trey Norbey
