Cocoa Extract

    Researchedby:
    Kamal Patel
    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    Cocoa extract is a bitter mixture with a chocolate taste, made up of xanthine molecules (theobromine and caffeine) and procyanidins. Supplementing cocoa extract may provide cardiovascular and cognitive benefits through improved blood flow and antioxidant effects.

    Cocoa Extract is most often used for Brain Health. The Examine Database covers General Cardiovascular Health, Metabolic Health, and 24 other conditions and goals.

    2,471 participants in 48 trials and 2 meta-analyses

    Summary

    Cocoa extract refers to the bioactive compounds found in cocoa products. These compounds include flavanols, procyanidins and (-)-epicatechin. Though these molecules are not unique to cocoa, cocoa extract contains a particularly high level of (-)-epicatechin, compared to other plant products.

    Supplementing cocoa extract or eating dark chocolate is linked to better blood flow and improved insulin sensitivity.

    Preliminary research suggests (-)-epicatechin may also provide benefits for longevity by increasing blood flow and oxygenation in the brain. Though this effect has not been linked to improved memory or cognitive performance, it may play a protective role during aging. Some evidence also suggests (-)-epicatechin can help mitigate the effects of impaired mitochondria.

    When (-)-epicatechin is absorbed by the body, it activates an insulin signaling pathway, which causes a mild increase in glucose uptake. Increased glucose uptake means the body is able to take in sugar from the blood more effectively. Supplementing (-)-epicatechin also increase the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that widens blood vessels and improves blood flow.

    Eating about 26 to 40 grams of dark chocolate products containing at least 85% cocoa makes supplementing cocoa extract and (-)-epicatechin unnecessary. This is about 200 calories of dark chocolate, a bit less than a standard candy bar. Products low in cocoa, like milk chocolate and white chocolate, do not replace supplementation. Cocoa extract is a safe supplement that promotes circulation and effective energy production. It has great potential long-term benefits, whether the (-)-epicatechin comes from supplements or food products.

    What are other names for Cocoa Extract

    Note that Cocoa Extract is also known as:
    • Chocolate polyphenols
    • Cocoa polyphenols
    • Cacao polyphenols
    • Cacao extract
    • Chocamine
    Cocoa Extract should not be confused with:
    • Chocolate (The extract paired with macronutrients)

    Dosage information

    Studies show that 5-26 grams of dark chocolate contains 65 to 1,095 mg of flavanols. The standard dose for cocoa flavanols is 500 to 1,000 mg a day, taken with meals.

    Supplementing cocoa extract can be replaced by dark chocolate consumption. The recommended amount is 25 to 40 grams of dark chocolate, containing at least 85% cocoa. This is about 200 calories of dark chocolate. Milk and white chocolate do not contain enough cocoa to replace supplementation.

    More research is needed to determine the optimal dose of cocoa extract.

    Examine Database: Cocoa Extract

    General Cardiovascular Health
    Metabolic Health
    High Blood Pressure
    Overweight
    Obesity
    Type 2 Diabetes
    Cognitive Improvement
    Skin Health
    Aerobic Exercise Performance
    Heart Failure
    Metabolic Syndrome
    Peripheral Arterial Disease
    Weight Loss & Maintenance
    General Athletic Performance
    Acne
    Chronic Kidney Disease
    Coronary Artery Disease
    Glaucoma
    Cardiovascular Disease
    Cirrhosis
    Eye Health
    General Gut Health
    Immune Health
    Mood Improvement
    Soccer Performance
    Stress

    Research FeedRead all studies

    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Fraga CG, Actis-Goretta L, Ottaviani JI, Carrasquedo F, Lotito SB, Lazarus S, Schmitz HH, Keen CLRegular consumption of a flavanol-rich chocolate can improve oxidant stress in young soccer playersClin Dev Immunol.(2005 Mar)
    2. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Davison K, Coates AM, Buckley JD, Howe PREffect of cocoa flavanols and exercise on cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese subjectsInt J Obes (Lond).(2008 Aug)
    3. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Grassi D, Lippi C, Necozione S, Desideri G, Ferri CShort-term administration of dark chocolate is followed by a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in blood pressure in healthy personsAm J Clin Nutr.(2005 Mar)
    4. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Muniyappa R, Hall G, Kolodziej TL, Karne RJ, Crandon SK, Quon MJCocoa consumption for 2 wk enhances insulin-mediated vasodilatation without improving blood pressure or insulin resistance in essential hypertensionAm J Clin Nutr.(2008 Dec)
    5. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Grassi D, Desideri G, Necozione S, Lippi C, Casale R, Properzi G, Blumberg JB, Ferri CBlood pressure is reduced and insulin sensitivity increased in glucose-intolerant, hypertensive subjects after 15 days of consuming high-polyphenol dark chocolateJ Nutr.(2008 Sep)
    6. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Tokede OA, Gaziano JM, Djoussé LEffects of cocoa products/dark chocolate on serum lipids: a meta-analysisEur J Clin Nutr.(2011 Aug)
    7. Blood glucose - Almoosawi S, Fyfe L, Ho C, Al-Dujaili EThe effect of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate on fasting capillary whole blood glucose, total cholesterol, blood pressure and glucocorticoids in healthy overweight and obese subjectsBr J Nutr.(2010 Mar)
    8. Blood glucose - Grassi D, Desideri G, Necozione S, Ruggieri F, Blumberg JB, Stornello M, Ferri CProtective effects of flavanol-rich dark chocolate on endothelial function and wave reflection during acute hyperglycemiaHypertension.(2012 Sep)
    9. Blood Lactate (Exercise) - Glen Davison, Robin Callister, Gary Williamson, Karen A Cooper, Michael GleesonThe effect of acute pre-exercise dark chocolate consumption on plasma antioxidant status, oxidative stress and immunoendocrine responses to prolonged exerciseEur J Nutr.(2012 Feb)
    10. Triglycerides - Tzounis X, Rodriguez-Mateos A, Vulevic J, Gibson GR, Kwik-Uribe C, Spencer JPPrebiotic evaluation of cocoa-derived flavanols in healthy humans by using a randomized, controlled, double-blind, crossover intervention studyAm J Clin Nutr.(2011 Jan)
    11. Blood Pressure - Ottaviani JI, Balz M, Kimball J, Ensunsa JL, Fong R, Momma TY, Kwik-Uribe C, Schroeter H, Keen CLSafety and efficacy of cocoa flavanol intake in healthy adults: a randomized, controlled, double-masked trialAm J Clin Nutr.(2015 Dec)
    12. Fat Oxidation - Allgrove J, Farrell E, Gleeson M, Williamson G, Cooper KRegular dark chocolate consumption's reduction of oxidative stress and increase of free-fatty-acid mobilization in response to prolonged cyclingInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab.(2011 Apr)
    13. Blood Flow - Andrew B. Petrone, J. Michael Gaziano, Luc DjousséEffects of Dark Chocolate and Cocoa Products on Endothelial Function: A Meta-AnalysisCurrent Nutrition Reports.()
    14. Oxidative Stress Biomarkers - Carnevale R, Loffredo L, Pignatelli P, Nocella C, Bartimoccia S, Di Santo S, Martino F, Catasca E, Perri L, Violi FDark chocolate inhibits platelet isoprostanes via NOX2 down-regulation in smokersJ Thromb Haemost.(2012 Jan)
    15. Oxidative Stress Biomarkers - Zhu QY, Schramm DD, Gross HB, Holt RR, Kim SH, Yamaguchi T, Kwik-Uribe CL, Keen CLInfluence of cocoa flavanols and procyanidins on free radical-induced human erythrocyte hemolysisClin Dev Immunol.(2005 Mar)
    16. HbA1c - Balzer J, Rassaf T, Heiss C, Kleinbongard P, Lauer T, Merx M, Heussen N, Gross HB, Keen CL, Schroeter H, Kelm MSustained benefits in vascular function through flavanol-containing cocoa in medicated diabetic patients a double-masked, randomized, controlled trialJ Am Coll Cardiol.(2008 Jun 3)
    17. Mitochondrial Protection - Pam R Taub, Israel Ramirez-Sanchez, Theodore P Ciaraldi, Guy Perkins, Anne N Murphy, Robert Naviaux, Michael Hogan, Alan S Maisel, Robert R Henry, Guillermo Ceballos, Francisco VillarrealAlterations in skeletal muscle indicators of mitochondrial structure and biogenesis in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure: effects of epicatechin rich cocoaClin Transl Sci.(2012 Feb)
    18. Blood Flow - Heinrich U, Neukam K, Tronnier H, Sies H, Stahl WLong-term ingestion of high flavanol cocoa provides photoprotection against UV-induced erythema and improves skin condition in womenJ Nutr.(2006 Jun)
    19. Skin Dryness - Mogollon JA, Boivin C, Lemieux S, Blanchet C, Claveau J, Dodin SChocolate flavanols and skin photoprotection: a parallel, double-blind, randomized clinical trialNutr J.(2014 Jun 27)
    20. Skin Dryness - Yoon HS, Kim JR, Park GY, Kim JE, Lee DH, Lee KW, Chung JHCocoa Flavanol Supplementation Influences Skin Conditions of Photo-Aged Women: A 24-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled TrialJ Nutr.(2016 Jan)
    21. Peripheral Vascular Disease Symptoms - Hammer A, Koppensteiner R, Steiner S, Niessner A, Goliasch G, Gschwandtner M, Hoke MDark chocolate and vascular function in patients with peripheral artery disease: a randomized, controlled cross-over trialClin Hemorheol Microcirc.(2015)
    22. Peripheral Vascular Disease Symptoms - Loffredo L, Perri L, Catasca E, Pignatelli P, Brancorsini M, Nocella C, De Falco E, Bartimoccia S, Frati G, Carnevale R, Violi FDark chocolate acutely improves walking autonomy in patients with peripheral artery diseaseJ Am Heart Assoc.(2014 Jul 2)
    23. Adrenaline - Wirtz PH, von Känel R, Meister RE, Arpagaus A, Treichler S, Kuebler U, Huber S, Ehlert UDark chocolate intake buffers stress reactivity in humansJ Am Coll Cardiol.(2014 Jun 3)
    24. Arterial Stiffness - Charalambos Vlachopoulos, Konstantinos Aznaouridis, Nikolaos Alexopoulos, Emmanuel Economou, Ioanna Andreadou, Christodoulos StefanadisEffect of dark chocolate on arterial function in healthy individualsAm J Hypertens.(2005 Jun)
    25. Arterial Stiffness - West SG, McIntyre MD, Piotrowski MJ, Poupin N, Miller DL, Preston AG, Wagner P, Groves LF, Skulas-Ray ACEffects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adultsBr J Nutr.(2014 Feb)
    26. Blood glucose - Monahan KD, Feehan RP, Kunselman AR, Preston AG, Miller DL, Lott MEDose-dependent increases in flow-mediated dilation following acute cocoa ingestion in healthy older adultsJ Appl Physiol.(2011 Dec)
    27. Triglycerides - Engler MB, Engler MM, Chen CY, Malloy MJ, Browne A, Chiu EY, Kwak HK, Milbury P, Paul SM, Blumberg J, Mietus-Snyder MLFlavonoid-rich dark chocolate improves endothelial function and increases plasma epicatechin concentrations in healthy adultsJ Am Coll Nutr.(2004 Jun)
    28. Triglycerides - Shiina Y, Funabashi N, Lee K, Murayama T, Nakamura K, Wakatsuki Y, Daimon M, Komuro IAcute effect of oral flavonoid-rich dark chocolate intake on coronary circulation, as compared with non-flavonoid white chocolate, by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in healthy adultsInt J Cardiol.(2009 Jan 24)
    29. Triglycerides - Crews WD Jr, Harrison DW, Wright JWA double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of the effects of dark chocolate and cocoa on variables associated with neuropsychological functioning and cardiovascular health: clinical findings from a sample of healthy, cognitively intact older adultsAm J Clin Nutr.(2008 Apr)
    30. Blood Pressure - d'El-Rei J, Cunha AR, Burlá A, Burlá M, Oigman W, Neves MF, Virdis A, Medeiros FCharacterisation of hypertensive patients with improved endothelial function after dark chocolate consumptionInt J Hypertens.(2013)
    31. Blood Pressure - Mogollon JA, Bujold E, Lemieux S, Bourdages M, Blanchet C, Bazinet L, Couillard C, Noël M, Dodin SBlood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trialNutr J.(2013 Apr 8)
    32. Blood Pressure - Verawati Sudarma, Sri Sukmaniah, Parlindungan SiregarEffect of dark chocolate on nitric oxide serum levels and blood pressure in prehypertension subjectsActa Med Indones.(2011 Oct)
    33. Blood Flow - Loffredo L, Carnevale R, Perri L, Catasca E, Augelletti T, Cangemi R, Albanese F, Piccheri C, Nocella C, Pignatelli P, Violi FNOX2-mediated arterial dysfunction in smokers: acute effect of dark chocolateHeart.(2011 Nov)
    34. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - Hamed MS, Gambert S, Bliden KP, Bailon O, Singla A, Antonino MJ, Hamed F, Tantry US, Gurbel PADark chocolate effect on platelet activity, C-reactive protein and lipid profile: a pilot studySouth Med J.(2008 Dec)
    35. Platelet Aggregation - Luisa M Ostertag, Paul A Kroon, Sharon Wood, Graham W Horgan, Elena Cienfuegos-Jovellanos, Shikha Saha, Garry G Duthie, Baukje de RoosFlavan-3-ol-enriched dark chocolate and white chocolate improve acute measures of platelet function in a gender-specific way--a randomized-controlled human intervention trialMol Nutr Food Res.(2013 Feb)
    36. Platelet Aggregation - Pearson DA, Paglieroni TG, Rein D, Wun T, Schramm DD, Wang JF, Holt RR, Gosselin R, Schmitz HH, Keen CLThe effects of flavanol-rich cocoa and aspirin on ex vivo platelet functionThromb Res.(2002 May 15)
    37. Blood glucose - Grassi D, Necozione S, Lippi C, Croce G, Valeri L, Pasqualetti P, Desideri G, Blumberg JB, Ferri CCocoa reduces blood pressure and insulin resistance and improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypertensivesHypertension.(2005 Aug)
    38. Blood glucose - Lívia de Paula Nogueira, Marcela Paranhos Knibel, Márcia Regina Simas Gonçalves Torres, José Firmino Nogueira Neto, Antonio Felipe SanjulianiConsumption of high-polyphenol dark chocolate improves endothelial function in individuals with stage 1 hypertension and excess body weightInt J Hypertens.(2012)
    39. Blood Pressure - Karin Ried, Oliver R Frank, Nigel P StocksDark chocolate or tomato extract for prehypertension: a randomised controlled trialBMC Complement Altern Med.(2009 Jul 8)
    40. Blood Pressure - Eunice K Chan, Jon Quach, Fiona K Mensah, Valerie Sung, Michael Cheung, Melissa WakeDark chocolate for children's blood pressure: randomised trialArch Dis Child.(2012 Jul)
    41. Adrenaline - von Känel R, Meister RE, Stutz M, Kummer P, Arpagaus A, Huber S, Ehlert U, Wirtz PHEffects of dark chocolate consumption on the prothrombotic response to acute psychosocial stress in healthy menThromb Haemost.(2014 Dec)
    42. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) - Di Renzo L, Rizzo M, Sarlo F, Colica C, Iacopino L, Domino E, Sergi D, De Lorenzo AEffects of dark chocolate in a population of normal weight obese women: a pilot studyEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2013 Aug)
    43. Attention - Francis ST, Head K, Morris PG, Macdonald IAThe effect of flavanol-rich cocoa on the fMRI response to a cognitive task in healthy young peopleJ Cardiovasc Pharmacol.(2006)
    44. Attention - Pase MP, Scholey AB, Pipingas A, Kras M, Nolidin K, Gibbs A, Wesnes K, Stough CCocoa polyphenols enhance positive mood states but not cognitive performance: a randomized, placebo-controlled trialJ Psychopharmacol.(2013 May)
    45. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Wan Y, Vinson JA, Etherton TD, Proch J, Lazarus SA, Kris-Etherton PMEffects of cocoa powder and dark chocolate on LDL oxidative susceptibility and prostaglandin concentrations in humansAm J Clin Nutr.(2001 Nov)
    46. Triglycerides - Esser D, Mars M, Oosterink E, Stalmach A, Müller M, Afman LADark chocolate consumption improves leukocyte adhesion factors and vascular function in overweight menFASEB J.(2014 Mar)
    47. Blood Pressure - De Gottardi A, Berzigotti A, Seijo S, D'Amico M, Thormann W, Abraldes JG, García-Pagán JC, Bosch JPostprandial effects of dark chocolate on portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis: results of a phase 2, double-blind, randomized controlled trialAm J Clin Nutr.(2012 Sep)
    48. Blood Pressure - Terai N, Gedenk A, Spoerl E, Pillunat LE, Stodtmeister RThe short-term effect of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate on retinal vessel diameter in glaucoma patients and age-matched controlsActa Ophthalmol.(2014 Aug)
    49. Kidney Oxygenation - Menno Pruijm, Lucie Hofmann, Julie Charollais-Thoenig, Valentina Forni, Marc Maillard, Andrew Coristine, Matthias Stuber, Michel Burnier, Bruno VogtEffect of dark chocolate on renal tissue oxygenation as measured by BOLD-MRI in healthy volunteersClin Nephrol.(2013 Sep)
    50. Acne Symptoms - Caperton C, Block S, Viera M, Keri J, Berman BDouble-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Assessing the Effect of Chocolate Consumption in Subjects with a History of Acne VulgarisJ Clin Aesthet Dermatol.(2014 May)