Cocoa powder is obtained from cocoa bean, which is considered as the primary ingredient of chocolate. It is very popular and widely used for various medicinal and culinary purposes.

Nutritional profile

• It contains desirable amount of carbohydrates
• It contains significant amount of fiber as well
• It contains protein too and made up of various important amino acids
• It also contains fat and composed of both saturated and unsaturated fat but it is totally free from cholesterol
• It provides sufficient calories on its oxidation due to its high carbohydrate and fat contents
• It is loaded with various important micronutrients like Vitamin E, K, B1, B2, B6, B9, zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and iron

Important biologically active components of cocoa powder

• It contains polyphenals, which are considered as the most vital biologically active components of cocoa powder that exerts numerous health benefits
• These polyphenols are responsible for exerting antioxidant and anti inflammatory activities that help to prevent the body from various damages
• These are also responsible for reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases like hypertention, hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia

Biological activity

Antioxidant activity

It is packed with antioxidants that help to protect the body from free radical induced oxidative damages

Anti-carcinogenic activity

It has the ability to fight against cancer cell and also helps in hindering the growth of malignant cells within body as a result reduces the prevalence of carcinoma

Aphrodisiac activity

It plays vital role in improving sexual desire or libido

Detoxifying activity

It acts as an important natural detoxificant that helps to eliminate toxins from body

Health benefit

Role on immunity

• It is considered as an important therapeutic substance that helps to boost up the immunity of the body
• Its antioxidant, micronutrients and flavonoid components are responsible for improving the immunological responses of the body, which ultimately strengthen the body’s defense mechanism

Role on digestive system

• It provides a positive impact on digestive system and all the credit goes to its fiber content
• Fiber present in cocoa powder helps in preventing constipation
• As it is associated with regulating bowel movement thus its consumption is thought to be very effective for preventing any discomfort experienced in gut

• It helps to prevent blotting as well
• It also helps in preventing stomach cramping 

Role on respiratory system

• Its acts as an effective decongestant that helps to loosen phlegm or mucus from the respiratory tract whereas it helps to remove mucus from respiratory tract too, as a result lowers the prevalence of various respiratory diseases
• It helps to improve lungs functions as well
• It is also associated with improving allergic symptoms
• It helps to prevent breathing difficulties too

Role on skeletal system

• It contains adequate amount of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, all of these nutrients are essentially required by the body for healthy bone formation
• It helps to mineralize the bone which subsequently increases bone mass and bone mineral density
• Its anti-inflammatory activity is also associated with promoting joint health by preventing joint swelling, which ultimately lowers the prevalence of arthritis and gout
• It helps to regain flexible movement in joints as well as in muscles
• It is also related with reducing bone and muscle pain
• It helps to improve the symptom of osteoporosis as well

Role on renal health

• It helps to promote the health and activity of renal system
• As mentioned above that it has detoxifying activity, which helps to eliminate waste from body through the excretory system thus its consumption is thought to be very useful for boosting up the secretion of fluids within kidney in order to prevent the accumulation of toxins or wastes
• It plays vital role in supporting the activities of bladder as well

Role on nervous system

• It helps to improve the functionality of both central and peripheral nervous system
• Its B vitamins contents, especially vitamin B6 helps in improving the activity of brain
• It is also associated with improving the conduction of nerve impulses throughout the body
• It helps to improve cognition  
• It helps to improve memory as well

Role on mental health

• Consuming cocoa powder is considered as an important option for providing the mental health a boost
• Its acts as natural antidepressant that helps to prevent depression and subsequently increases the level of happiness
• It is also composed of mood boosting chemicals that help to make individual feel joyful
• It can interact with the neurotransmitter system and helps in releasing serotonin, dopamine and endorphin which ultimately help to improve the mood and also help to make an individual feel happier   

Role on oral health

• Consumption of cocoa powder is really very effective for promoting oral health and hygiene
• It has seen that the components present in cocoa been husk exert potent anti-microbial activity that help to hinder the growth of microbes within oral cavity as a result lowers the prevalence of oral infections

• It helps to prevent dental plaque formation
• It helps to prevent tooth decay as well
• It is also associated with hardening the enamel of tooth

Role on skin

• Individual who want to obtain a flawless, supple skin should include cocoa in their diet
• Its polyphenolic components are responsible for protecting the skin cell from oxidative damages as a result prevent premature aging and also prevent the skin from becoming wrinkled
• It helps to improve the skin texture as well as the glow
• It is also associated with hydrating the skin, which ultimately helps to keep the skin soft and smooth
• It is also very effective for curing hyper-pigmentation. It has seen that application of face mask prepared with cocoa powder, milk and honey works like magic for getting rid of sun tan

Role on hair

• It plays vital role in strengthening the hair
• Its amino acid contents and antioxidants are considered as main components responsible for promoting hair growth
• It helps to remove dead cells from scalp which is also accountable for promoting hair growth
• It helps to provide a radiant glow to the hair
• It helps to prevent hair falls as well
• It is also very effective for preventing dandruff

Therapeutic usage

It has been extensively used for various therapeutic purposes like –

• Its polyphenolic components play vital role in boosting up the metabolism of the body
• It helps to prevent mood swing
• It is very effective for promoting cardiac health as well. Flavanols are considered as the most important substances of cocoa powder that help to promote the health and activity of cardio vascular system
• It helps to prevent atherosclerosis as well hence reduces the prevalence of arterial hardening which ultimately improves blood circulation and thus decreases the risk of stroke 
• It helps to prevent hypertension as well
• It helps in regulating thyroid hormone level as it is profuse in iodine content
• It also helps in accelerating wound healing process

Culinary usage

• It can be consumed hot or cold by mixing with milk
• It can be used for preparing smoothies
• It can be sprinkled over fruit
• It can also be used for preparing chocolate mousse
• It is widely used for preparing dark chocolate as well
• It can also used for preparing pudding

Allotey-Babington, L., Kwapong, A.A., Banga, K.B.N.G., Amponsah, S.K. and Asiedu-Gyekye, I.J., 2019. Unsweetened natural cocoa powder: a potent nutraceutical in perspective. London, UK: IntechOpen.

Cooper, K.A., Donovan, J.L., Waterhouse, A.L. and Williamson, G., 2008. Cocoa and health: a decade of research. British Journal of Nutrition, 99(1), pp.1-11.

Maleyki, M.A. and Ismail, A., 2010. Antioxidant properties of cocoa powder. Journal of food biochemistry, 34(1), pp.111-128.

Tomas-Barberán, F.A., Cienfuegos-Jovellanos, E., Marín, A., Muguerza, B., Gil-Izquierdo, A., Cerdá, B., Zafrilla, P., Morillas, J., Mulero, J., Ibarra, A. and Pasamar, M.A., 2007. A new process to develop a cocoa powder with higher flavonoid monomer content and enhanced bioavailability in healthy humans. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55(10), pp.3926-3935.

Wan, Y., Vinson, J.A., Etherton, T.D., Proch, J., Lazarus, S.A. and Kris-Etherton, P.M., 2001. Effects of cocoa powder and dark chocolate on LDL oxidative susceptibility and prostaglandin concentrations in humans. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 74(5), pp.596-602.