Although it may be your favorite sweet treat, the truth is that chocolate can be healthy. Today, there are dozens of chocolate supplements, cacao products, and nutritional supplements available.
Chocolate supplements can be taken daily for weight loss, reduce inflammation, and support overall health and wellness.
With so many chocolate products on the market, it can be challenging to determine which supplement is right for you. That’s why our editorial team searched the Internet high and low to find the 18 best chocolate & cacao supplements currently available online.
The Best Chocolate & Cacao Supplements in 2021
Our research team examined dozens of cacao and chocolate supplements. We checked lab reports, contacted supplement companies, and examined customer reviews to find the world’s absolute best chocolate supplements.
After thoroughly researching these chocolate supplements, we discovered the best products to improve your health. Here are the top chocolate supplements for 2021 and beyond:
- Earth Echo Cacao Bliss
- PhenQ Complete Meal Shake
- Organifi Harmony
- Organifi Gold Chocolate
- Organifi Complete Protein Chocolate
- CacaoJoy
- CacaoFit
- Essential Elements Plant-Based Creamy Chocolate Protein
- Live Conscious Organic Protein Cosmic Cacao
- IdealLean Protein – Chocolate Brownie
- Detox Organics Daily Superfoods Chocolate Detox Shake
- CocoaVia Cardio Health
- Green Regimen Elite Protein
- Your Super Chocolate Lover
- FlavaMix
- Endangered Species Chocolate Strong + Velvety Dark Chocolate
- Alter Eco Dark Chocolate Bar
- Green & Black’s Organic 85{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} Cacao Bar
We’ll review each chocolate supplement below and give you an overview of each product’s ingredients, benefits, and price.
Earth Echo Cacao Bliss
Earth Echo, reviewed in the AP News here, prides itself on developing high-quality nutritional products, and Cacao Bliss is no different. This powerful superfood blend comes in powdered form that you can mix in the morning with a coffee, smoothie, almond milk, or your favorite beverage.
Each scoop is filled with cacao and other superfoods to help you manage weight, reduce inflammation, and improve overall health. There are only 35 calories in each serving, and Cacao Bliss is 100{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} organic with no sugar or dairy. It claims to help you feel fuller for a more extended period as well, effectively allowing you to manage your weight.
Cacao Bliss was developed by fitness trainer Danette May, who’s added some of the most potent anti-inflammatory compounds in Cacao Bliss. In addition to cacao, there is turmeric, black pepper extract, MCT powder, cinnamon, coconut nectar, and several other ingredients. It is also sweetened with monk fruit extract, so it does not contain any added sugar.
Overall, Cacao Bliss is a delicious, nutritious cacao supplement with everything you could want in a chocolate supplement. It starts at $59 for a 30-serving bag and comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. It is hands-down the very best chocolate supplement money-back buy right now.
PhenQ Complete Meal Shake
Complete Meal Shake is a new all-in-one meal replacement shake from the famous supplement company PhenQ. Complete Meal Shake is a 100{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} plant-based, delicious superfood meal replacement shake specifically formulated to boost your energy levels and control food cravings.
Every PhenQ Complete Meal Shake serving possesses 16g of vegan protein, standard in the meal replacement shake industry. However, Complete Meal Shake also contains 13g of healthy fats derived from MCT and 24 other vitamins and minerals, setting it apart from other meal replacement shakes. It also possesses powerful superfoods like KSM-66 ashwagandha, mushroom extract, linseed flour, and others to further support wellness.
By taking PhenQ Complete Meal Shake, you can reportedly safely lose weight, reduce your appetite, improve your energy levels, and improve overall health. According to PhenQ, Complete meal Shake is keto-friendly, vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. One bag will cost you $49.90, and PhenQ offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on all orders.
If you’re looking for a chocolate meal replacement shake that is one of the most nutritious and tastiest products out there, then Complete Meal Shake from PhenQ is a solid choice.
Organifi Harmony
Harmony is a premium superfood formula from the famous supplement company Organifi. It was specifically developed to support women’s health, so its ingredients were carefully selected to cater to the needs of the female body. It comes in a rich and creamy chocolate flavor and is considered one of the best-tasting chocolate supplements on the market.
In addition to cacao, Harmony contains powerful antioxidant superfoods like maca, chaste berry, ginger, turmeric, Shatavari, and coconut milk. Organifi claims these ingredients can help balance hormones, reduce bloating and moodiness, boost energy levels, and provide PMS support.
Organifi is one of the most well-known supplement companies, and Harmony is a new but well-received cacao supplement. Although it isn’t the cheapest at $69.99 for a 30 serving container, it is an excellent choice for women looking to reap the benefits of cacao and other popular superfoods. Every order is backed by Organifi’s 30-day money-back guarantee as well.
Organifi Gold Chocolate
Organifi is perhaps best known for its’ Gold superfood formula. Now, it is available in a chocolate version, and you can take one scoop to support relaxation, calmness, energy levels, and much more.
Gold Chocolate contains several superfoods: turmeric, lemon balm, turkey tail mushroom, and reishi mushroom. These ingredients help to calm your mind, reduce inflammation, and to boost energy levels. It also contains a digestion blend of prebiotic enzymes, cinnamon, ginger extract, and coconut milk to support digestion and immunity.
Gold Chocolate is available for $69.95 for a one-bottle purchase with steep discounts on multiple bottle orders. Alternatively, you can subscribe to an auto-shipping program and save an additional 15{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f}. Every order comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is standard on all Organifi products.
Organifi Complete Protein Chocolate
Complete Protein Chocolate is the third chocolate supplement on our list from Organifi. Complete Protein is a delicious, 100{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} organic, plant-based protein supplement with no soy or whey added whatsoever. To flavor its product, Organifi used organic cocoa and organic chocolate flavor.
Each serving of Complete Protein Chocolate has 20g of protein comprised of organic flaxseed, organic pumpkin seed protein, organic pea protein, and organic quinoa. Organifi also added a digestive enzyme blend to help you digest Complete Protein more efficiently, which is why it is ideal if you frequently suffer from digestive issues.
One 30-serving container will cost you $79.95, which is on the more expensive side, but the quality of the ingredients more than makes up for it. Every order comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee as well.
Complete Protein doesn’t include fancy superfoods or anything fancy in its formula like some other products on our list has. However, if you’re looking for a quality vegan protein supplement in chocolate flavor, then Organifi Complete Protein may be right for you.
CacaoJoy
CacaoJoy is another supplement that acts similarly to another product from Sempora on our list – CacaoFit. As the name would imply, CacaoJoy was formulated to allow you to enjoy the taste, texture, and benefits of chocolate – without any of the guilt.
Much like CacaoFit, CacaoJoy uses several other potent antioxidants – in addition to cacao. Some of the other ingredients include turmeric, MCT oil, cinnamon, and much more. It claims it can improve your immunity, body composition, heart health, cognition, and much more.
The main difference between CacaoJoy and CacaoFit is that CacaoJoy is only $54, which is $15 more affordable. The two products have nearly identical benefits because of their very similar formulas, so CacaoJoy may be beneficial if you’re on a tighter budget.
Overall, CacaoJoy gives you a healthy dose of premium cacao and other superfoods. Their ingredients are Non-GMO, vegan, soy-free, dairy-free, and are 3rd party tested for purity and potency. Therefore, if you’re looking for a solid weight loss product with chocolate that won’t break the bank, CacaoJoy is an excellent choice.
CacaoFit
CacaoFit is a powdered superfood supplement meant to be mixed with almond milk, a smoothie, or the beverage of your choice. It is specifically targeted towards those who are trying to lose weight.
According to the manufacturer, CacaoFit has the highest quality cacao, adaptogens, and superfood spices designed to help manage your appetite, promote bliss, happy moods, and support your overall health and wellness. It was developed by Eliza Anne, who claims to be a “chocoholic” who struggled with food cravings for years.
Each serving of CacaoFit contains organic MCT and coconut milk to help suppress your appetite. It also has organic turmeric and cinnamon to help promote digestion and balance sugar levels. Finally, it possesses lion’s mane to help improve cognition.
If you’re looking for a chocolate supplement so that you can maintain a healthy weight, then CacaoFit is a solid choice. It costs $69 for one 30-serving jar, and each order comes with a bonus recipe guide filled with delicious but nutritious recipes for you to get creative with CacaoFit. Every order comes with no questions asked, 90-day money-back guarantee as well.
Essential Elements Plant-Based Creamy Chocolate Protein
Essential Elements is another popular plant-based protein powder that uses pea, pumpkin, rice, and sacha inchi protein. According to the manufacturer, Essential Elements Creamy Chocolate Protein can support weight loss, muscle recovery, and much more. Best of all, it only possesses 70 calories per serving.
One of the best things about this protein powder is that it is USDA-certified organic and backed by a 365-day money-back guarantee, which puts it ahead of most competitors. It also contains additional ingredients like prebiotic ingredients to support better digestion. Finally, the manufacturer claims their product is soy-free, preservative-free, non-GMO, dairy-free, and vegan.
The big drawback to Essential Elements Chocolate Protein is that it costs $60 for a 20 serving bag, making it significantly more expensive than most of the other chocolate products on the list. It is also often out of stock, which means you may have to wait to try it. Still, it is a solid chocolate supplement and is well-reviewed by its customers.
Live Conscious Organic Protein Cosmic Cacao
Cosmic Cacao is an organic plant-based protein supplement from Live Conscious. Each serving of plant-based protein contains 15g of protein made from pumpkin, pea, rice, and sacha inchi.
Live Conscious claims Cosmic Cacao can provide energy, metabolism support, and muscle recovery. It added 1.5g of organic cacao in each 24.2g scoop to supply your body with plenty of antioxidants to keep inflammation at bay and support your overall health.
The main difference between Cosmic Cacao is that it uses the preferred form of chocolate, cacao, instead of cocoa. This means your body can absorb more of the flavanols found in cacao to support your overall health and wellness.
Cosmic Cacao is also one of the best-valued products on our list. One bag will only cost you $36, which is just over $1 per serving. It is manufactured in the USA and is also 3rd party tested for purity and quality, which is a must given the numerous problems with supplement manufacturing.
Suppose you want organic cacao in a tasty protein powder without the complementary ingredients found in many other popular chocolate supplements on our list. In that case, Cosmic Cacao from Live Conscious is a good choice.
Ideal Lean Protein – Chocolate Brownie
Chocolate Brownie is a popular protein powder from Ideal Lean, and it is designed explicitly as a protein shake mix for women. An overwhelming number of users claim it is rich, creamy, delicious, and made with easily mixing whey protein. Each serving is 100 calories and contains 20g of protein, which is on the higher end of our list.
One of the main things that separate Ideal Lean Protein from other chocolate supplements on our list is that it uses whey protein isolate instead of plant-based sources. It also uses cocoa, natural, artificial flavors, sucralose, and other ingredients. Hence, it isn’t necessarily as good as some other cacao or cocoa-based protein powders on our list.
However, despite that, Ideal Lean protein is arguably one of our list’s most affordable chocolate protein supplements. A tub only costs $29, which gives you an incredible amount of value on a per-serving basis and based on the amount of protein per serving (20g).
Ideal Lean is also backed by solid customer reviews from women all over the United States. It is a fantastic chocolate supplement if you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle and need additional protein to recover after working out. It’s great if you don’t care about the protein source, and it won’t break the bank either, which is just a bonus.
Detox Organics Daily Superfoods Chocolate
Daily Superfoods Chocolate comes from Detox Organics, and as you can expect, it is designed to help you “detox.” Detox can mean many things, but generally, it means expel waste from your digestive tract and improving your immune system function. This is why Detox Organics included other superfoods we haven’t found in many other ingredients like kale, wheatgrass, chlorella, spirulina, beet juice, and more.
According to the manufacturer, Daily Superfoods Chocolate can clear out your digestive tract, improve your digestion, and support healthy energy levels – all in a delicious chocolate flavor. Each serving of Daily Superfoods Chocolate contains a blend of powerful vegetables, herbs, and plants. Simply mix one heaping scoop with almond milk, water, or your favorite beverage, and you can enjoy all the benefits of this creamy shake.
All of the ingredients are USDA-certified organic, including chocolate. It is also gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. One bag of Detox Organics Daily Superfoods Chocolate will cost you $59, which is good for 30 servings. If you’re specifically looking for a detox supplement, then this product is a solid choice.
CocoaVia Cardio Health
CocoaVia is a dark chocolate powder supplement explicitly designed to support heart health. It is the only dark chocolate supplement on our list that is designed specifically for this. CocoaVia costs $45 for a 30 serving container, and it is primarily sold on Amazon, which means it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
As you’ll soon find out, chocolate contains flavanols and antioxidants, which studies indicate can improve cardiovascular health in numerous different ways. CocoaVia was explicitly designed to take advantage of these flavanols and antioxidants to help support your blood pressure by enhancing nitric oxide production.
Nitric oxide is a natural chemical produced by the body that relaxes blood vessels and widens them. This allows blood to blow more freely, which in turn reduces blood pressure. According to the manufacturer, CocoaVia Cardio Health can improve arterial function by up to 21{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} for significantly better blood flow. This may reduce the risk for heart attack, stroke, or other issues.
To provide you with the cardiovascular benefits you desire, the only ingredient in CocoaVia Cardio Health is cocoa flavanols. According to studies, each serving contains 500mg, which is a strong enough dose to benefit from the flavanols in chocolate potentially.
If you’re specifically looking for the cardiovascular benefits of chocolate, then CocoaVia Cardio Health is a perfect choice.
Green Regimen Elite Protein
Green Regimen Elite Protein is a popular plant-based protein powder in a cream, tasty chocolate flavor. Each serving comes with 25g of plant-based protein, the highest dosage of protein on our chocolate list. Most of the other products on our list only contain 15g to 20g of protein, which is why Green Regimen made our list.
Besides protein, Green Regimen also added 4g of organic fiber and digestive enzymes to help improve your protein digestion. It also contains several superfoods like kale, spirulina, maca root, broccoli, cabbage, and other healthy foods to give you a substantial supply of two dozen vitamins and minerals.
According to the manufacturer, there are no artificial flavors, sugars, stevia, or additives in Elite Protein. It is also non-GMO verified and USDA-certified organic. A 30-serving tub will cost you $52.99, which is reasonably priced in the plant-based protein industry. Every order comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee from Green Regimen.
Green Regimen Elite Protein is a solid choice if you’re looking for a chocolate protein supplement with some additional superfoods for added wellness benefits.
Your Super Chocolate Lover
Chocolate Lover from Your Super is a powdered chocolate supplement containing premium cacao powder and a few other superfoods. Your Super is careful not to make any specific health claims. Still, it does indicate Chocolate Lover is a rich source of antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids, which are known to support overall wellness.
Chocolate Lover also contains shredded coconut, carob, and lucuma with its organic cacao powder. All ingredients are organic, and Your Super takes transparency to the next level by indicating the country where they source their ingredients.
Chocolate Lover is available for $34.90 per 20 serving container, putting it right in the middle of our price range on a per-serving basis. You can also subscribe & save as well, which will save you an additional 10{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} off your order. It is available on Amazon, which means it also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Truthfully, there’s nothing exotic about Chocolate Lover. However, if you’re looking for an essential cacao supplement made with premium ingredients, then Chocolate Lover from Your Super is a great choice.
FlavaMix
FlavaMix is a popular cocoa supplement on Amazon that claims to have 7x the cocoa flavanol antioxidants of standard cocoa powder. The manufacturer states it can naturally boost nitric oxide levels to promote brain function, heart health, and blood sugar control.
Each serving of FlavaMix contains 900mg of performance cocoa powder. Besides that, the only other ingredients include lucuma powder, vanilla bean powder, and Himalayan Pink Salt. All of these ingredients are kosher, dairy-free, non-GMO, and plant-based as well.
One 31-serving container of FlavaMix will cost you $49.99, which breaks down to $3.45 per ounce. This makes FlavaMix one of the more expensive products per serving on our list. Amazon offers a 30-day money-back return window on all orders, including FlavaMix.
If you’re looking for a simple cocoa supplement with no added ingredients, then FlavaMix may be the right supplement for you.
Endangered Species Chocolate Strong + Velvet Dark Chocolate
Endangered Species Chocolate Strong + Velvet Dark Chocolate has arguably the highest concentration of cocoa with a range between 50 to 60{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} cocoa. Each bar delivers a strong dose of bittersweet chocolate, and each bar contains only four ingredients to help you maximize the numerous health benefits of chocolate.
In each serving of chocolate, there are 180 calories, 13g of fat, and just 3g of total sugar. You also get a hefty dose of potassium (6{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} of your DV) and 1.5mg of iron (8{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} of your DV). Each case of chocolate bars contains 12 large chocolate bars priced at $35.
One of the unique things about this company is that they donate to endangered species worldwide. According to the manufacturer, 10{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} of profits go towards saving various endangered animals.
If you’re looking for some healthy chocolate and still want to feel like you satisfy your sweet tooth, then Endangered Species Chocolate Strong may be a good choice for you. Plus, you can feel good knowing some of your money is going to a good cause.
Alter Eco Dark Chocolate Bars
Alter Eco Dark Chocolate Bars are an excellent choice for the dark chocolate experience without extreme bitterness. They’ve developed a rich, chocolatey masterpiece that doesn’t overload on fats and calories. They also source their chocolate from organic, non-GMO, and fair trade locations.
A 10 pack variety bundle will cost you $47 – coming in flavors like “deep dark sea salt, dark salted almonds, and dark salted burnt caramel.” Other flavors include Super Blackout, Mint Blackout, Classic Blackout, and many more.
The bars contain a variety of different concentrations of cacao, ranging from 47{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} to 90{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f}. If you’re looking for a diverse, delicious product line of dark chocolate bars, then Alter Eco’s Dark Chocolate Bars are a great choice. They currently have ten flavors in the product line, which means virtually anybody can find a flavor that fits their tastes.
Green & Black’s Organic 85{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} Cacao Bar
Green & Black sells a variety of chocolate supplements, and their Organic 85{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} Cacao Bar is the company’s darkest chocolate product with a stunning 85{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} concentration of cacao. It is made with Trinitario cacao beans, and the chocolate bars are even USDA organic. This ensures Green & Black’s chocolate products maximize the flavanols found in dark chocolate, all while delivering a satisfying and tasteful experience.
In addition to being USDA organic, the cocoa beans are UN certified ethically sourced. Green & Black added a small amount of cocoa butter and vanilla to create one of the best tasting and satisfying chocolate products.
You can order a ten-pack of Green & Black’s Organic 85{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} Cacao Bar for only $46. It is easily one of the tastiest products on our list, and if you want the best quality dark chocolate bar, then Green & Black is a solid choice.
How We Ranked The Best Chocolate & Cacao Supplements
All chocolate supplements should be a high-quality source of cocoa or cacao powder. So what exactly makes one chocolate supplement better than another one? We used the following criteria to rank the best chocolate supplements from the inferior products:
Dosage of Cacao, Cocoa, and Chocolate
Every chocolate supplement will taste like chocolate, but they can get their chocolate flavor in different ways. We preferred supplements that had higher doses of organic cocoa or cacao powder to flavor their product. Some of the lower-ranked products on our list used artificial flavoring, whereas the best-ranked chocolate supplements used organic cacao to maximize their nutritional value.
Taste & Texture
Taste and texture are essential because a chocolate product should be as tasty as it is beneficial. Some plant-based protein supplements can taste awful, even with chocolate flavoring. Other chocolate supplements have managed to maximize both flavor and texture without compensating for the quality of their product. We preferred products that tasted great and could hide the potentially unpleasant taste associated with ingredients like pea protein or other protein sources.
Mixability
Some chocolate supplements are formulated to mix well together, while other supplements take several minutes to mix and are chunks. Nobody wants to unexpectedly drink or eat a dry ball of chocolate powder in the middle of their smoothie. We considered the mixability in our rankings and preferred supplements that mixed well.
Organic Certification
All of the top-ranked chocolate supplements on our list use certified organic sources of cocoa or cacao. Organic certification is essential with chocolate supplements because when you condense cacao or cocoa into a powder, it also concentrates the pesticides or toxins in the finished product. This is why we treated organic certification very highly in our research to maximize the health value of the chocolate used in chocolate supplements.
Complimentary Ingredients
If you’re just in the mood for chocolate, then you can simply eat a chocolate bar. Most of the best chocolate supplements come with additional complementary ingredients like turmeric, protein, wheatgrass, spirulina, other superfoods, and vitamins & minerals. We considered which products had complimentary ingredients to support your health and wellness further.
Manufacturer Transparency and Reputation
The best chocolate supplements were transparent about their ingredients, the dosage of each component, and where they source their ingredients. Most chocolate companies source their ingredients from several different suppliers. Therefore, ingredient source location didn’t matter as much as the ingredient and dosage transparency. In addition, companies with a long history of formulating safe, effective products were ranked higher.
Honest Marketing & Benefits
Some manufacturers make excessive or exaggerated claims about the potential health benefits of their products. For example, one manufacturer claimed their products could help you lose 20lbs in a month without diet or exercise. This is simply not true. We preferred companies that were honest about the potential benefits of their product and used accurate advertising methods.
Price & Overall Value
The price of chocolate supplements can vary wildly depending on several factors. We factored in each product’s ingredients, formula, and serving size to get the best-valued products at various price points. No matter what your budget is, we have a product that can meet your budget.
Money-back Guarantee
The best companies should stand by their products with an explicit, definite money-back guarantee. A 30-day money-back guarantee was the absolute minimum we’d accept. However, some companies had guarantees of up to 365 days.
Customer Reviews
We wanted to get the average customer experience with each product. This is why we read genuine customer reviews to understand what customers thought about their products. We researched whether customers liked the taste, experienced any health benefits, had adverse side effects, and whether they would recommend each product to their friends or family members. Our best-ranked chocolate supplements had a long history of positive customer reviews, with the majority being positive reviews.
Benefits of Chocolate Products
Although chocolate is generally seen as a sugar-laden sweet treat, the truth is that chocolate has plenty of actual health benefits. Numerous clinical studies have found that chocolate contains several active ingredients that can support your health in several different ways.
According to experts, chocolate can potentially provide all of the benefits below:
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which have been shown to support healthy blood pressure, improve circulation, reduce the risk of blood clotting, and have several other cardiovascular benefits. This may lower the risk of stroke, heart disease, and death due to heart disease.
May Help Control Diabetes Symptoms
Chocolate contains an ingredient called epicatechin, which has been shown to protect & strengthen cells. It also may support various metabolic processes within the body that may help support healthy blood sugar levels.
Supports Immunity
Chocolate is a rich source of flavanols, which may support your immunity. Flavanols help to balance your immune system and prevent it from becoming too active. They also may reduce oxidative stress, which leads to severe inflammation. If you want to support your immunity, taking a small amount of chocolate may be perfect for you.
Reduced Stress
According to studies, people who eat dark chocolate report experiencing less stress daily. It is thought that chocolate can help manage stress levels by targeting the stress hormone cortisol. Other researchers believe this effect is also linked to cardiovascular health, and by supporting heart health, chocolate can indirectly reduce stress levels.
Boosts Athletic Performance
Since chocolate contains epicatechin, it may help boost athletic performance. According to researchers, epicatechin found in dark chocolate can increase nitric oxide production in the blood. This supports circulation and reduces the oxygen athletes use while engaging in exercise. This may support endurance and stamina when working out.
Improved Brain Function
Cognition may improve as a result of taking chocolate supplements. This is because of the flavanols found in chocolate which will enhance blood flow to the brain. As a result, chocolate can potentially improve reaction time, stronger memory, and better visual-spatial awareness, amongst other benefits.
All of these benefits have been verified by clinical research. While not everyone experiences these benefits, it is still possible that chocolate supplements can provide you with these benefits.
Scientific Evidence for Chocolate Supplements
Believe it or not, chocolate can be healthy. As previously mentioned, consuming a small amount of chocolate or cacao can support weight loss, appetite, cardiovascular health, inflammation, and overall health and wellness.
Chocolate is still a sweet treat, but science tells us that cocoa and cacao can have real health benefits. We’ve dug into the most comprehensive research involving chocolate and discovered what science tells us about chocolate.
First and foremost, chocolate bars with a higher concentration of cocoa are likely more nutritious than you may realize. Just a 100g bar of dark chocolate containing a concentration between 70{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} to 85{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} will have several dozen vitamins and minerals, including more than 60{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} of your daily needs for iron, copper, magnesium, and manganese. It is also an excellent source of potassium, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, and 11g of fiber.
Chocolate also is a natural source of caffeine, albeit it is a small dose. The caffeine content in chocolate is much smaller than the caffeine content in coffee. Still, studies suggest even a nominal amount of caffeine can support cognition, accelerate weight loss, boost your metabolism, and support overall health and wellness.
Chocolate may be able to lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. This is because chocolate contains flavanols, a type of phytochemical compound found in various plant-based foods.
In one study, researchers found that flavanols found in dark chocolate can stimulate the endothelium (the lining of your arteries) to produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a natural chemical that relaxes blood vessels to support healthier blood flow – effectively lowering blood pressure.
A follow-up study in 2007 found that people who consume cocoa or cacao in low amounts tend to have lower blood pressure and better cardiovascular health than individuals who do not regularly use polyphenol-rich chocolate. The difference was not necessarily massive, but researchers did notice a real difference. Other studies have found similar results as the 2007 study.
Other studies have found that cholesterol levels can be positively impacted by chocolate. Many studies have found that chocolate can improve good cholesterol levels while decreasing bad cholesterol. In a single controlled trial on men, researchers discovered that cocoa powder could significantly reduce oxidized LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol. Researchers believe that the cholesterol-improving benefits of chocolate are linked directly to its’ antioxidant concentration. It appears that these antioxidants can neutralize oxidized cholesterol.
Chocolate may also reduce the risk of developing heart disease and dying from heart disease. In a single study involving almost 500 older men, researchers found that cocoa consumption could reduce the risk of heart disease by roughly 50{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} over 15 years. Another study found that eating chocolate twice or more per week significantly reduced developing calcified plaque in the arteries by 32{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f}.
Speaking of antioxidants, many of the benefits listed above stem from chocolate’s high concentration of antioxidants. Research has found that chocolate has a high oxygen radical absorbance capacity or ORAC. Studies have found that chocolate has a higher ORAC score than other popular antioxidant foods like blueberries and acai berries. The antioxidant activity in chocolate comes from its high levels of polyphenol and flavanol compounds.
Some research indicates that chocolate could potentially help with diabetes. This is why many new chocolate products are marketed to diabetics or individuals with insulin problems. In a 2008 study, researchers found that dark chocolate could improve insulin sensitivity and blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure in just two weeks. If you are looking to reap the benefits of chocolate and have diabetes potentially, you should choose a product with low sugar content.
Some evidence suggests that chocolate could even potentially protect your skin from sun damage. The flavanols in chocolate can improve blood flow to your skin, improving skin density and hydration. This may provide a natural defense against the sun. In one study, participants who consumed dark chocolate had to be exposed to the sun twice as long as the placebo group for the skin to redden.
Finally, chocolate can potentially be considered a nootropic. Researchers have found that chocolate consumption may boost certain cognitive functions. In one study, high flavanol cocoa was able to improve blood flow to the brain. Researchers could also help with vascular impairment, which may increase the risk of dementia and stroke. That same study found that older adults who consumed cocoa tended to have a more robust cognitive performance.
Research continues to discover more benefits of cocoa, cacao, and chocolate. It appears like chocolate use can improve cardiovascular health, brain health, immunity, and much more.
Side Effects of Chocolate Supplements
In general, healthy adults do not experience any side effects when taking a chocolate supplement as directed. However, there is some evidence that large amounts of chocolate can cause side effects.
For example, chocolate does contain caffeine, leading to anxiety and restlessness if you have caffeine sensitivity. Similarly, too much chocolate can lead to indigestion, stomach issues, and nausea – especially if you consume chocolate loaded with sugars and fats.
It is possible to suffer acid reflux from overeating chocolate as well. Acne is also associated with chocolate consumption, typically because of cocoa butter, sugar, and other common elements.
Realistically, the most common side effect associated with chocolate is weight gain. This is because chocolate is often calorie-dense and filled with sugar, which can expand your waistline. Thankfully, most of the chocolate supplements on our list minimize sugar and calorie content while allowing you to enjoy the antioxidant benefits of chocolate.
Recommended Chocolate Dosage
The recommended dosage of chocolate is 30g to 60g of chocolate per day to maximize the benefits and minimize caloric intake. However, always follow the recommended dosage instructions that are on the label of your chocolate supplement.
If you order cacao powder, 10 to 15g of cacao mixed with water, milk, almond milk, or your other favorite beverage is recommended. You can work your way up to 40g of cacao powder as you gauge your tolerance.
If you are looking for a cacao product, try to find a product with a concentration of 70 to 80{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} cacao. In general, you want to minimize the number of unnecessary ingredients or fillers found in your chocolate supplement. All of the chocolate products on our list will allow you to maximize the benefits of chocolate because they contain a high concentration of cacao.
Chocolate Supplement FAQs
Still, have questions about chocolate? If so, read our most commonly asked chocolate and chocolate supplements.
Q. Is chocolate good for you?
A: While chocolate is often seen as sugar-laden and bad for you, the truth is that chocolate does appear to improve your health when taking in standard dosages. Dark chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants, flavonols, and polyphenols, linked to numerous other benefits.
Q. What are the potential benefits of chocolate?
A: Various have found numerous benefits associated with chocolate. According to some research, chocolate can support heart health, cognition, cholesterol, healthy appetite, weight loss, and inflammation, amongst other benefits.
Q. What’s a chocolate supplement?
A: A chocolate supplement is any product that has a high concentration of cocoa or cacao powder. These supplements provide you with all of the beneficial polyphenols, flavanols, and other healthy plant compounds found in chocolate.
Q. What are the best chocolate supplements?
A: Any of the supplements on our list are excellent chocolate supplements. However, if you want the best chocolate supplement, you should look into Earth Echo Cacao Bliss, PhenQ Complete Meal Shake, or Organifi Harmony.
Q. What’s the difference between cacao and cocoa?
A: Cacao and cocoa are two different compounds, but you can substitute one for the other. Cacao powder is generally seen as “cleaner” because it does not contain the additives typically found in cocoa like fats, sugars, hydrogenated oils, and artificial flavors. Cacao is also a richer source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals because cacao powder is not processed.
Q. Is USDA organic certification necessary in chocolate supplements?
A: The USDA organic certification is essential because it shows you that the chocolate used in a supplement was not grown with any pesticides or herbicides. This prevents these dangerous chemicals from being included in the finished product and limits your exposure to them.
Q. Does chocolate have any caffeine?
A: Chocolate does naturally contain a small amount of caffeine. In general, the darker the chocolate is, the more caffeine it will possess. Typically speaking, a 100g bar of dark chocolate will contain about 40g of caffeine, the same as half a cup of coffee. However, if you use a product with an 85{3ec534fe9d71be4d3153a272edf1ee2c130738b0e26f29d9315c02fb0c3ceb7f} concentration of cocoa or cacao, you could consume as much as 60-80g of caffeine.
Q. is chocolate good for lowering cholesterol?
A: Studies have found that dark chocolate can improve good cholesterol levels and lower harmful cholesterol levels.
Chocolate does not possess any cholesterol either. Although cocoa beans may have cocoa butter, there is no cholesterol found in cocoa. Milk chocolate, on the other hand, does contain cholesterol because of the milk that is added.
Q. How much cacao should I take?
A: It’s recommended that you take 20g to 40g of cacao powder mixed with your favorite liquid a day. If you tolerate it well, you can potentially raise your dosage to 60g of cacao powder a day if you desire.
Q. Are there side effects of chocolate supplements?
A: Most chocolate supplements are tolerated very well and do not possess any side effects. However, since chocolate does contain caffeine, you should be careful when using a chocolate supplement if you are overly sensitive to caffeine.
In addition, chocolate supplements can cause gastrointestinal issues, headaches, or nausea when taken in very high doses. This is why you must follow the directions on the ingredient label to ensure you consume a safe, proper dosage.
Q. How much should chocolate supplements cost?
A: Chocolate supplements can range wildly in price. You can purchase products for as little as $30 for a one-month supply up to $80. We wanted to research the very best chocolate supplements that provided you with the best value to accommodate any budget.
The Best Chocolate & Cacao Supplements in 2021 Final Recap
Chocolate supplements continue to rise in popularity thanks to their great taste and a growing number of proven health benefits. Today, you don’t have to grab that sugar-laden candy bar to enjoy the numerous benefits of chocolate.
If you’re in the market for a chocolate supplement, you should research the products we listed above to find the right product to help you achieve your goals.
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Disclaimer:
Please understand that any advice or guidelines revealed here are not even remotely a substitute for sound medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Make sure to consult with a professional physician before making any purchasing decision if you use medications or have concerns following the review details shared above. Individual results may vary as the statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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