Benefits
Smooth energy and focus
Theobromine, cocoa's main active, provides a gentle, longer-lasting lift in energy and focus with less of the jitter and crash of caffeine.
Cardiovascular support
Cocoa flavanols support healthy blood flow and blood pressure, as confirmed in a Cochrane review of cocoa.
Mood and cravings
Cocoa compounds are studied for supporting a positive mood and satisfying chocolate cravings.
Mechanism of action
Theobromine stimulation
Theobromine is a mild, long-acting relative of caffeine that supports energy and alertness with a smoother profile.
Flavanol nitric-oxide support
Cocoa flavanols boost nitric-oxide signaling in blood vessels, supporting healthy blood flow and blood pressure.
Clinical trials
Cochrane systematic review of the effect of cocoa on blood pressure. (Ried et al. 2017, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)
Adults across many trials.
Cocoa flavanols produced a small but significant reduction in blood pressure, supporting cocoa's cardiovascular positioning.