Overview

Cocoa beans are the seeds of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao). The beans are used to make chocolate and are a source of many antioxidants.

Cocoa contains a variety of chemicals, including antioxidants called flavonoids. It's not clear how these might work in the body, but they appear to relax the blood vessels. This could lead to lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation and blockage of blood vessels.

People most commonly use cocoa for heart disease and high blood pressure. It is also used for high cholesterol, memory, aging skin, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • Heart disease. Eating cocoa lowers the chance of heart disease and death. Cocoa might have this effect by lowering blood pressure and improving blood vessel function.
  • High blood pressure. Eating dark chocolate or cocoa products for 2-8 weeks can lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. But these benefits are only seen when cocoa comes from plain, unsweetened chocolate. Eating cocoa from desserts might increase the risk for high blood pressure.

Possibly Ineffective for

  • High cholesterol. Consuming cocoa by mouth does not seem to improve cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol.
  • Stretch marks. Applying a cream containing cocoa butter during pregnancy does not seem to prevent stretch marks.

There is interest in using cocoa for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Eating cocoa is likely safe for most people. But keep in mind that cocoa contains caffeine and related chemicals, as well as heavy metals like lead. Eating large amounts might cause caffeine-related side effects such as nervousness, increased urination, sleeplessness, and a fast heartbeat.

Cocoa can cause allergic skin reactions and might also trigger migraine headaches. It can also cause nausea, stomach discomfort, constipation, and gas.

When applied to the skin: Applying cocoa butter to the skin is likely safe for most people. It can cause a rash in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Eating cocoa is likely safe for most people. But keep in mind that cocoa contains caffeine and related chemicals, as well as heavy metals like lead. Eating large amounts might cause caffeine-related side effects such as nervousness, increased urination, sleeplessness, and a fast heartbeat.

Cocoa can cause allergic skin reactions and might also trigger migraine headaches. It can also cause nausea, stomach discomfort, constipation, and gas.

When applied to the skin: Applying cocoa butter to the skin is likely safe for most people. It can cause a rash in some people.

Pregnancy: Cocoa is possibly safe when used in moderate amounts or in amounts commonly found in foods during pregnancy. But be sure to monitor your intake. Consuming cocoa in larger amounts is possibly unsafe because of the caffeine and heavy metals it contains. Caffeine found in cocoa crosses the placenta. High doses of caffeine during pregnancy might increase the risk for premature delivery, low birth weight, and miscarriage. Keep caffeine consumption below 300 mg per day during pregnancy. Chocolate products provide 2-35 mg caffeine per serving, and a cup of hot chocolate provides approximately 10 mg. So these products probably aren't a big concern. But unsweetened, dry cocoa powder can contain up to about 200 mg of caffeine per cup.

Breast-feeding: Cocoa is possibly safe when used in moderate amounts or in amounts commonly found in foods while breast-feeding. Consuming cocoa in larger amounts is possibly unsafe because of the caffeine and heavy metals it contains. Breast milk concentrations of caffeine are thought to be about half the level of caffeine in the breast-feeding parent. If too much chocolate (16 oz per day) is consumed when breast-feeding, the nursing infant may become irritable and have frequent bowel movements because of the caffeine.

Children: Dark chocolate products, which contain high amounts of cocoa, are possibly unsafe for children. These products can contain high levels of lead and cadmium, which can cause serious health issues in children. There isn't enough reliable information to know if other chocolate products, which usually contain lower amounts of cocoa, are safe in children.

Anxiety: The caffeine in cocoa might make anxiety disorders worse when consumed in large amounts.

Bleeding disorders: Cocoa can slow blood clotting. Consuming a lot of cocoa might increase the risk of bleeding and bruising in people with bleeding disorders.

Heart conditions: Cocoa contains caffeine. The caffeine in cocoa might cause irregular heartbeat in some people and should be used cautiously in people with heart conditions.

Diabetes: Cocoa seems to be able to raise blood sugar levels and might interfere with blood sugar control in people with diabetes.

Diarrhea. Cocoa contains caffeine. The caffeine in cocoa, especially when taken in large amounts, can make diarrhea worse.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Cocoa might make the symptoms of GERD worse.

Glaucoma: Cocoa contains caffeine. The caffeine in cocoa increases pressure in the eye and should be used cautiously in people with glaucoma.

High blood pressure: Cocoa contains caffeine. The caffeine in cocoa might increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. But for people who consume caffeine regularly, it might not be a big increase.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Cocoa contains caffeine. The caffeine in cocoa, especially when taken in large amounts, can make diarrhea and IBS symptoms worse.

Rapid heartbeat: Cocoa from dark chocolate can increase heart rate.

Seizures: Cocoa contains caffeine. High doses of caffeine might cause seizures or decrease the effects of drugs used to prevent seizures. If you have ever had a seizure, don't use high doses of caffeine or caffeine-containing products such as cocoa.

Weak bones (osteoporosis): Cocoa contains caffeine. The caffeine in cocoa might increase how much calcium is released in the urine. People with osteoporosis should limit their intake of cocoa.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Ephedrine interacts with Cocoa

    Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. Caffeine (contained in cocoa) and ephedrine are both stimulant drugs. Taking cocoa along with ephedrine might cause too much stimulation and serious side effects and heart problems.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa can affect how the body processes ACE inhibitors. Taking cocoa with ACE inhibitors might cause increased effects and side effects.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa might lower blood pressure. Taking cocoa along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa might slow blood clotting. Taking cocoa along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

  • Pentobarbital (Nembutal) interacts with Cocoa

    The stimulant effects of the caffeine in cocoa might block the effects of pentobarbital.

  • Riluzole (Rilutek) interacts with Cocoa

    The body breaks down riluzole to get rid of it. Consuming cocoa can decrease how quickly the body breaks down riluzole and increase the effects and side effects of riluzole.

  • Stimulant drugs interacts with Cocoa

    Stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine, speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can increase blood pressure and speed up the heartbeat. Cocoa contains caffeine. Caffeine can also speed up the nervous system. Taking cocoa along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure.

  • Adenosine (Adenocard) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The caffeine in cocoa might block the affects of adenosine, which is often used by doctors to do a test called a cardiac stress test. Stop consuming cocoa at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.

  • Dipyridamole (Persantine) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The caffeine in cocoa might block the effects of dipyridamole, which is often used by doctors to do a test called a cardiac stress test. Stop consuming cocoa at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test.

  • Lithium interacts with Cocoa

    The body naturally gets rid of lithium. The caffeine in cocoa can increase how quickly the body gets rid of lithium. If you consume caffeine regularly and you also take lithium, don't change your dose of caffeine quickly. Stopping caffeine too quickly can increase the side effects of lithium. If you stop using caffeine, reduce the dose slowly.

  • Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. There is some concern that caffeine can interact with certain medications, called MAOIs. If caffeine is taken with these medications, it might increase the risk for serious side effects including fast heartbeat and very high blood pressure.
    Some common MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

  • Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Cocoa

    The caffeine in cocoa can stimulate the body. Phenylpropanolamine can also stimulate the body. Taking cocoa along with phenylpropanolamine might cause too much stimulation and increase heartbeat, blood pressure, and cause nervousness.

  • Theophylline interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. Caffeine works in similar ways in the body as theophylline. Caffeine can also decrease how quickly the body gets rid of theophylline. Taking cocoa along with theophylline might increase the effects and side effects of theophylline.

  • Flutamide (Eulexin) interacts with Cocoa

    The body breaks down flutamide to get rid of it. The caffeine in cocoa might decrease how quickly the body breaks down flutamide. In theory, taking cocoa along with flutamide might increase the effects and side effects of flutamide.

  • Medications that decrease break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 CYP1A2 (CYP1A2) inhibitors) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa is changed and broken down by the liver. Some drugs decrease how quickly the liver changes and breaks down cocoa. This could change the effects and side effects of cocoa.

  • Nicotine interacts with Cocoa

    Stimulant drugs such as nicotine speed up the nervous system. The caffeine in cocoa might also speed up the nervous system. Taking cocoa along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure.

  • Phenobarbital (Luminal) interacts with Cocoa

    Phenobarbital is a drug used to treat seizures. The caffeine in cocoa might decrease the effects of phenobarbital and increase the risk of seizures in some people.

  • Phenytoin (Dilantin) interacts with Cocoa

    Phenytoin is a drug used to treat seizures. The caffeine in cocoa can decrease the effects of phenytoin. Taking cocoa with phenytoin might decrease the effects of phenytoin and increase the risk of seizures in some people.

  • Valproate interacts with Cocoa

    Valproate is a drug used to treat seizures. The caffeine in cocoa might decrease the effects of valproate and increase the risk of seizures in some people.

  • Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. Caffeine can decrease potassium levels. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium levels. Taking cocoa along with "water pills" might make potassium levels drop too low.

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • Alcohol (Ethanol) interacts with Cocoa

    The body breaks down the caffeine in cocoa to get rid of it. Alcohol can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking cocoa along with alcohol might increase the risk for caffeine side effects, such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Fluvoxamine (Luvox) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Fluvoxamine can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking cocoa along with fluvoxamine might increase the risk of caffeine side effects, such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Terbinafine (Lamisil) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Terbinafine can decrease how fast the body gets rid of caffeine and increase the risk of caffeine side effects such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Antibiotics (Quinolone antibiotics) interacts with Cocoa

    The body breaks down caffeine from cocoa to get rid of it. Some drugs can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking these drugs along with cocoa might increase the risk of caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Birth control pills can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. This might increase the risk for caffeine side effects, such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Cimetidine (Tagamet) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Cimetidine can decrease how quickly your body breaks down caffeine. Taking cimetidine along with cocoa might increase the chance of caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Disulfiram (Antabuse) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Disulfiram can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking cocoa along with disulfiram might increase the chance of caffeine side effects, including jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Estrogens interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Estrogens can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking cocoa along with estrogens can increase the risk of caffeine side effects, including jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Fluconazole (Diflucan) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Fluconazole might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine Taking cocoa along with fluconazole might increase the risk of caffeine side effects such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Medications for asthma (Beta-adrenergic agonists) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. Caffeine can stimulate the heart. Some medications for asthma can also stimulate the heart. Taking caffeine with some medications for asthma might cause too much stimulation and heart problems.

  • Mexiletine (Mexitil) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Mexiletine can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking mexiletine along with cocoa might increase the risk of caffeine side effects, such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Verapamil (Calan, others) interacts with Cocoa

    The body breaks down the caffeine in cocoa to get rid of it. Verapamil can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking caffeine along with verapamil can increase the risk of caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, and an increased heartbeat.

  • Metformin (Glucophage) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Metformin can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking metformin along with cocoa might increase the risk of caffeine side effects. such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Methoxsalen (Oxsoralen) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Methoxsalen can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking methoxsalen along with cocoa might increase the risk of caffeine side effects, such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

  • Phenothiazines interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Phenothiazines can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking phenothiazines along with caffeine might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.

  • Tiagabine (Gabitril) interacts with Cocoa

    Tiagabine is used to treat seizures. There is some concern that the caffeine in cocoa can reduce the effects of tiagabine. But studies show that tiagabine still works even when taken with caffeine.

  • Ticlopidine (Ticlid) interacts with Cocoa

    Cocoa contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Ticlopidine can decrease how fast the body gets rid of caffeine. In theory, taking cocoa along with ticlopidine might increase the risk of caffeine side effects, such as jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.

Dosing

Many different types of cocoa products are available, including dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and isolated cocoa flavanols (antioxidants). Cocoa oils and cocoa butter creams are also available. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

Cocoa is regularly eaten in chocolate products. Bitter chocolate is produced by pressing roasted cocoa beans between hot rollers. Cocoa powder is produced by squeezing the fat (cocoa butter) from bitter chocolate and powdering the remaining material. Sweet chocolate is produced by adding sugar and vanilla to bitter chocolate. The percentage on a chocolate bar tells you how much sugar has been added. For example, a 70% cocoa bar contains 70% cocoa and 30% sugar.
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