If you love cocoa, or you are trying to find the best possible cocoa powder for baking a chocolate cake, then this review should be very helpful for you. We are going to outline some of the best cocoa powders available today.
Cocoa is a delicious ingredient that can allow you to enjoy a nice hot chocolate. But it’s not just about the tasty late-night beverages. Cocoa can also provide plenty of energy and is high in healthy nutrients as well. This is especially true for pure cocoa powder, which can also be used for healthy weight loss.
But what are the different types? And what can cocoa powder do for your health?
Different types of cocoa
The three main types of cocoa are:
- Brute
- Royal Dutch
- Natural
There are of course, countless brands and different types of cocoa which vary in terms of quality, flavour, and additional ingredients. However, these are the three main types.
What are the different kinds of cocoa powder?
Here are the three different types of cocoa powder, including their flavour profile and fat content:
- Brute:
Brute has neutralised acidity, which gives it a bold flavour. It also has a 22-24% fat content.
- Royal Dutch:
Royal Dutch is the most chocolatey taste, with a 22-24% fat content as well.
- Natural:
Natural on the other hand has a bitter taste, but with the lowest fat content at 10-12%
Is cocoa powder good for you?
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that come from consuming cocoa powder…
Cocoa is high in Polyphenols
Polyphenols are a natural form of antioxidant which is commonly found in vegetables, fruits, and even chocolate. This helps to reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure. Cocoa powder is a great source of Polyphenols!
Lower your blood pressure
Cocoa is ideal for lowering high blood pressure. This is due to the flavanols in cocoa which regular your blood’s nitric oxide levels.
Reduced chance of stroke and heart attacks
Another great benefit that comes with eating cocoa is the amount of bad cholesterol in your blood. Moderate usage of cocoa can have some incredible health benefits!
Improving the blood-flow to your brain
Cocoa has polyphenols as previously mentioned, which is a substance that improves blood flow and brain function, thus reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Using cocoa on a daily basis can help to improve your mental performance, which is even more important for those with existing mental impairment conditions.
Boost mood
Believe it or not, cocoa can improve your level of calmness and reduce stress. In a nutshell, cocoa has flavanols which converts tryptophan into serotonin, thus stabilising your mood.
Spot type 2 diabetes signs
The flavanols in cocoa slows down digestion and absorption of carbs, regulate insulin secretion, and stimulates the intake of sugar from the blood to your muscles. With more flavanols, it can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes significantly.
Weight control
Cocoa may surprise you, as it can actually be effective in weight loss. It helps regulate energy use, it reduces cravings (unless you’re craving chocolate of course), it increases fat oxidation, and promotes the feeling of being full. In other words, eating chocolate can help you lower your BMI better than fasting does.
Resistance to cancer
Cocoa has the highest flavanol count among all other foods which has been found to contribute significantly to the amount of nutrients in your diet. It is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and reduces cell-growth and damaging in preventing the spread of cancerous cells.
Help asthmatics
Cocoa has been found to benefit people living with and suffering from asthma. It has anti-asthma compounds such as theobromine and theophylline. It can relax the lungs, your airways, and help to treat long-lasting coughs.
Good for skin and teeth
Believe it or not, cocoa can have a positive impact on your dental health due to the anti-bacterial and anti-enzyme properties. Of course, there is something to be said about excessive chocolate consumption and the health of your teeth.
As for skin, it isn’t cocoa that causes skin conditions such as acne. It has plenty of polyphenols which is actually beneficial to your skin and not the other way around. Cocoa can help protect your skin and improve blood circulation.
Easy to add to your diet
Cocoa is easy to add to your diet. Experts believe that some 200mg of flavanols each day is optimal for achieving cardiovascular health benefits. And it doesn’t have to be unhealthy either. You can use a cocoa supplement to add to your favourite healthy smoothies for a delicious twist!
What is the best type of cocoa powder?
What is the best type of cocoa powder? It’s a difficult question. What are you using it for?
Best type of cocoa powder for those on a budget: Better Body Foods Organic Cocoa Powder.
Best type of cocoa powder for organic first: Sunfood Superfoods Organic Cocoa Powder.
Best type of cocoa powder for Fair Trade: Wildly Organic Fermented Cocoa Powder.
Best type of cocoa powder for smoothies: Organic Traditions Cocoa Powder.
Here are some other great recommended cocoa brands:
You can pick up an awesome quality cocoa powder from suppliers that are recommended brands that include: Anthony’s, Guittard, Valhorna, Hershey, and more!
Conclusion
All in all, cocoa when used properly can have some amazing health benefits. It’s all about finding the right brand and using it in the appropriate manner. If you bake a chocolate cake every day and eat it all to yourself, then you are going to have a bad time. However, in small doses, of a high-quality variety, cocoa is hands down a superfood!
