Home Ingredients goCOCOA® (Cocoa Butter Powder)
Cardiovascular

goCOCOA® (Cocoa Butter Powder)

Theobroma cacao
Evidence Level
Preliminary
1 Clinical Trial
5 Documented Benefits
1/5 Evidence Score

goCOCOA® from Compound Solutions is a cocoa butter powder. The company describes it as a low-carb, high-fat powder that adds dark chocolate flavor and a creamy texture to supplements and foods, with no net carbs. Compound Solutions does not publish its flavanol content, and no study of goCOCOA appears in PubMed, so the research summarized here is on cocoa flavanol products in general and may not apply to it. In that research, a Cochrane review of 35 short trials in 1,804 mainly healthy adults found a small blood pressure drop of about 2 mmHg, and the large COSMOS trial (21,442 older adults over a median 3.6 years, 500 mg flavanols a day) did not meet its main goal of reducing cardiovascular events.

Studied Dose No study has tested goCOCOA. Cocoa flavanol studies used 500 mg flavanols a day (COSMOS), 500 mg twice a day (one 30-day fitness trial) or 30 to 1,218 mg a day (Cochrane blood pressure trials). The flavanol content of a goCOCOA serving is not published.
Active Compound Cocoa butter powder from Theobroma cacao beans (goCOCOA®, Compound Solutions). The supplier does not publish flavanol or theobromine content.

Benefits

Blood pressure (cocoa flavanol studies, not cocoa butter)

A Cochrane review of 35 randomized trials in 1,804 people found a drop of about 2 mmHg in blood pressure in short-term studies (moderate-quality evidence), and a 1-month trial in 100 healthy adults found better flow-mediated dilation. The large COSMOS trial did not significantly reduce total cardiovascular events (P = 0.11). These studies used cocoa flavanol products, not goCOCOA.

Supported by Trial 1

Memory and cognition

COSMOS-Mind, a 3-year randomized trial in 2,262 older adults, found cocoa extract (500 mg/day flavanols) had no effect on global cognition (P = 0.28). The only positive memory study cited was small (37 adults aged 50 to 69 completed it): over 3 months, high cocoa flavanol intake improved dentate gyrus function on brain imaging and a related memory test. Mars helped fund it. Neither study tested goCOCOA.

Supported by Trial 1

Physical performance in older adults

In a COSMOS substudy of 603 older adults followed for 2 years, cocoa extract with 500 mg a day of flavanols did not change grip strength, walking speed, balance, chair stands or a combined physical performance score compared with placebo. A review of 13 cocoa flavanol exercise studies found that short-term intake gave athletes no performance boost. One small 30-day trial did report a gain in aerobic fitness.

Supported by Trial 1

Blood sugar and metabolism

No study cited here measured insulin or blood sugar directly. In COSMOS, 18,381 older adults without diabetes who took cocoa extract (500 mg flavanols a day) for a median 3.5 years developed type 2 diabetes at the same rate as those on placebo (hazard ratio 1.04, P = 0.58). Laboratory ideas about insulin signaling remain untested in people taking goCOCOA.

Supported by Trial 1

Aerobic fitness (peak oxygen uptake)

Generic cocoa flavanols, not goCOCOA itself, were tested in 68 healthy adults aged 55 to 79: 500 mg twice a day or a matched control for 30 days. Peak oxygen uptake rose by about 190 ml per minute (confidence interval 1 to 371, so the gain may be small) and peak exercise capacity by about 9.6 watts; control did not change. It is one small trial. A 2-year COSMOS substudy at 500 mg a day found no change in grip strength or walking speed.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

eNOS activation and nitric oxide production

Cocoa flavanols such as epicatechin are thought to increase nitric oxide production in the lining of blood vessels, which widens them. This is the leading proposed explanation for the small blood pressure changes seen in cocoa flavanol trials. goCOCOA is a cocoa butter powder with no published flavanol content, so whether it supplies a meaningful amount is unknown.

Clinical trials

1
COSMOS: cocoa flavanol extract and cardiovascular events (large RCT that missed its primary endpoint)
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of cocoa extract (500 mg/day cocoa flavanols including 80 mg epicatechin) versus placebo in 21,442 older US adults, with a median follow-up of 3.6 years. Main goal: total cardiovascular events. (Sesso et al. 2022, Am J Clin Nutr)

21,442 US adults (women 65 and older, men 60 and older). Median follow-up 3.6 years.

Total cardiovascular events, the main goal, were not significantly reduced (hazard ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.78 to 1.02, P = 0.11). Heart attack, stroke, artery-opening procedures and death from any cause did not differ significantly. Among several secondary outcomes, cardiovascular death was 27% lower (hazard ratio 0.73, 0.54 to 0.98). An analysis limited to people who kept taking the capsules showed fewer total events (hazard ratio 0.85), but that kind of analysis is less reliable than the main comparison. The capsules were cocoa extract, not goCOCOA.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

No safety study of goCOCOA has been published; the supplier describes it as a cocoa butter powder used for flavor and texture.
The supplier does not publish theobromine or caffeine content; if you are sensitive to stimulants, check the finished product label.
Allergic reactions are possible in people sensitive to cocoa.
No specific safety data for pregnancy or breastfeeding; ask your doctor.

Important Drug interactions

No interaction studies of goCOCOA exist. Cautions given for cocoa flavanol extracts (blood thinners, blood pressure medication, iron absorption) may not apply, because its flavanol and polyphenol content is not published; ask your doctor if you take these medicines.

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Frequently asked questions about goCOCOA® (Cocoa Butter Powder)

What is goCOCOA?

goCOCOA® from Compound Solutions is a cocoa butter powder. The company describes it as a low-carb, high-fat powder that adds dark chocolate flavor and a creamy texture to supplements and foods, with no net carbs.

What is goCOCOA used for?

goCOCOA is researched primarily for Cardiovascular. A Cochrane review of 35 randomized trials in 1,804 people found a drop of about 2 mmHg in blood pressure in short-term studies (moderate-quality evidence), and a 1-month trial in 100 healthy adults found better flow-mediated dilation.

What is the recommended dosage of goCOCOA?

No study has tested goCOCOA. Cocoa flavanol studies used 500 mg flavanols a day (Cosmos), 500 mg twice a day (one 30-day fitness trial) or 30 to 1,218 mg a day (Cochrane blood pressure trials). The flavanol content of a goCOCOA serving is not published. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is goCOCOA safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for goCOCOA include: No safety study of goCOCOA has been published; the supplier describes it as a cocoa butter powder used for flavor and texture. The supplier does not publish theobromine or caffeine content; if you are sensitive to stimulants, check the finished product label. It may also interact with some medications. goCOCOA is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does goCOCOA interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No interaction studies of goCOCOA exist. Cautions given for cocoa flavanol extracts (blood thinners, blood pressure medication, iron absorption) may not apply, because its flavanol and polyphenol content is not published; ask your doctor if you take these medicines. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for goCOCOA?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for goCOCOA as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 1 study summary and 10 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(10 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Sesso HD, Manson JE, Aragaki AK, Rist PM, Johnson LG, Friedenberg G, Copeland T, Clar A, Mora S, Moorthy MV, Sarkissian A, Carrick WR, Anderson GL, COSMOS Research Group. Effect of cocoa flavanol supplementation for the prevention of cardiovascular disease events: the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) randomized clinical trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022;115(6):1490-1500. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac055.PubMedUsed to support: COSMOS: 21,442 US older adults took cocoa extract (500 mg flavanols a day, including 80 mg epicatechin) or placebo for a median 3.6 years. Total cardiovascular events were not significantly reduced (HR 0.90, P = 0.11); cardiovascular death, one of several secondary outcomes, was 27% lower (HR 0.73). The product tested was cocoa extract capsules, not goCOCOA.
  2. Ried K, Fakler P, Stocks NP. Effect of cocoa on blood pressure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;4(4):CD008893. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008893.pub3.PubMedUsed to support: Cochrane review of 35 randomized trials (40 comparisons, 1,804 mainly healthy adults, 2 to 18 weeks) of flavanol-rich cocoa products versus flavanol-free or low-flavanol controls. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell by about 1.76 mmHg each, rated moderate-quality evidence. Systolic pressure fell about 4 mmHg in people with high blood pressure, but the test for a subgroup difference was of borderline significance (P = 0.08). It did not test goCOCOA.
  3. Sansone R, Rodriguez-Mateos A, Heuel J, Falk D, Schuler D, Wagstaff R, Kuhnle GG, Spencer JP, Schroeter H, Merx MW, Kelm M, Heiss C, Flaviola Consortium, European Union 7th Framework Program. Cocoa flavanol intake improves endothelial function and Framingham Risk Score in healthy men and women: a randomised, controlled, double-masked trial: the Flaviola Health Study. Br J Nutr. 2015;114(8):1246-55. doi: 10.1017/S0007114515002822.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-masked trial in 100 healthy adults aged 35 to 60: a drink with 450 mg cocoa flavanols twice a day for 1 month raised flow-mediated dilation by 1.2 percentage points over a flavanol-free control and lowered blood pressure and calculated Framingham risk. Surrogate markers, not clinical events; one co-author was from Mars Inc. It did not test goCOCOA.
  4. Brickman AM, Khan UA, Provenzano FA, Yeung LK, Suzuki W, Schroeter H, Wall M, Sloan RP, Small SA. Enhancing dentate gyrus function with dietary flavanols improves cognition in older adults. Nat Neurosci. 2014;17(12):1798-803. doi: 10.1038/nn.3850.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized 3-month trial in healthy adults aged 50 to 69 where a high cocoa flavanol diet improved dentate gyrus function on fMRI and on a cognitive test tied to that region. One author was affiliated with Mars Inc., and Mars also funded the study in part through an unrestricted grant. The 2,262-person COSMOS-Mind trial later found no effect of cocoa extract on global cognition.
  5. Baker LD, Manson JE, Rapp SR, Sesso HD, Gaussoin SA, Shumaker SA, Espeland MA. Effects of cocoa extract and a multivitamin on cognitive function: A randomized clinical trial. Alzheimers Dement. 2023;19(4):1308-1319. doi: 10.1002/alz.12767.PubMedUsed to support: COSMOS-Mind: 3-year randomized trial in 2,262 older adults. Cocoa extract with 500 mg flavanols a day had no effect on global cognition (P = 0.28); the separate multivitamin arm produced a small benefit.
  6. Gröne M, Duse DA, Kramser N, Ophoff N, Schweers H, Voß F, Quast C, Sansone R, Heiss C, Jung C, Kelm M, Erkens R. Cocoa flavanols improve peakVO(2) and exercise capacity in a randomized double blinded clinical trial in healthy elderly people. Food Funct. 2023;14(16):7562-7573. doi: 10.1039/d3fo01737k.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled parallel trial in 68 healthy adults aged 55 to 79. 500 mg cocoa flavanols twice a day for 30 days raised peak oxygen uptake by about 190 ml/min (95% CI 1 to 371), O2 pulse and maximal exercise capacity (about 9.6 W) and lowered resting blood pressure; the nutrient-matched control group did not change. Generic cocoa flavanols, not goCOCOA; a single small, short trial.
  7. Chou SH, Cook N, Kim E, Kotler G, Ganz DA, Cawthon PM, Clar A, Shadyab AH, Manson JE, Sesso HD, Crandall CJ, LeBoff M. Effects of cocoa extract supplementation on physical performance measures: results from the randomized controlled COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes study. JBMR Plus. 2026;10(5):ziag041. doi: 10.1093/jbmrpl/ziag041.PubMedUsed to support: Ancillary COSMOS study in 603 older adults (mean age about 70): 2 years of cocoa extract (the COSMOS 500 mg/day flavanol dose) did not change grip strength, walking speed, the Short Physical Performance Battery, standing balance, chair stands or the timed-up-and-go test compared with placebo. Balances the single small positive aerobic fitness trial.
  8. Decroix L, Soares DD, Meeusen R, Heyman E, Tonoli C. Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation and Exercise: A Systematic Review. Sports Med. 2018;48(4):867-892. doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0849-1.PubMedUsed to support: Systematic review of 13 human studies combining cocoa flavanol intake and exercise. Acute and short-term (2 week) intake reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress and changed fuel use, but did not improve exercise performance in athletes.
  9. Li J, Sesso HD, Kim E, Manson JE, Friedenberg G, Clar A, Copeland T, Shadyab AH, Wactawski-Wende J, Tinker L, Liu S. Cocoa Extract Supplementation and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: The Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) Randomized Clinical Trial. Diabetes Care. 2023;46(12):2278-2284. doi: 10.2337/dc23-1012.PubMedUsed to support: COSMOS analysis of 18,381 older adults without diabetes at the start. Over a median 3.5 years, cocoa extract (500 mg flavanols a day, including 80 mg epicatechin) did not change the rate of new type 2 diabetes compared with placebo (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.20, P = 0.58).
  10. Compound Solutions. goCOCOA® ingredient page. compoundsolutions.com. 2026;.SourceUsed to support: Supplier page describing goCOCOA as a proprietary low-carb, high-fat cocoa butter powder that adds chocolate flavor and creamy texture with no net carbs. It gives no flavanol content, dose or studies. Not PubMed-indexed.