4 Things to Keep in Mind When Using Cocoa Powder

Cocoa powder has always been a favorite drink for many people. Whether served hot or cold, it’s delicious, and drinking cocoa daily brings many health benefits. However, there are still plenty of questions about how to use cocoa powder correctly. For example: does drinking it at night cause insomnia? If so, why not join Trọng Đức Cacao in learning some tips on how to optimize the wonderful benefits of cocoa?

Why is cocoa called a “superfood”?

According to nutrition research, cocoa powder is very good for health because it contains many beneficial compounds such as theobromine, phenylethylamine, and stress-reducing agents. It is also rich in protein, fatty acids, fiber, folic acid, vitamins, and minerals.

When consumed, cocoa provides numerous health benefits. It not only delivers abundant nutrition but also helps improve blood circulation, reduce high blood pressure, relieve stress, and support heart health. In addition, cocoa even has beauty-enhancing effects. However, to get the most out of cocoa powder, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

1. Choose quality, reputable cocoa products with clear origin

When buying cocoa powder, pay attention to its origin. You should purchase from reputable brands and absolutely avoid unbranded or unverified products. Choosing cocoa from unclear sources may lead you to buy low-quality cocoa that could contain harmful chemicals—causing more harm than good to your body.

2. Avoid adding too much sugar or milk

Adding sugar or milk can make cocoa taste better and easier to drink. However, if you add too much, the beneficial compounds in cocoa can be altered, leading to negative effects. Drinking overly sweet cocoa regularly may cause obesity, affect hormones, blood pressure, the liver, and the body’s metabolism.

Many people also wonder if cocoa causes “heat” in the body. The main reason is not cocoa itself but the excessive amount of sweeteners added, which leads to that heated sensation. In fact, pure cocoa does not cause body heat.

3. Do not drink more than 2 cups per day

Although cocoa has many health benefits, drinking too much or consuming it continuously for a long time may lead to “addiction” and negative effects on health. Cocoa is also rich in magnesium, so overconsumption in one day may cause diarrhea.

Experts recommend drinking no more than 2 cups of hot cocoa per day. This is the right amount to provide the body with beneficial nutrients without side effects.

4. Avoid drinking too much at night

Cocoa contains a very small amount of caffeine (about 1/20th of coffee). However, for people sensitive to caffeine, even this small amount may cause difficulty sleeping or insomnia, negatively affecting health. Therefore, it is best to limit cocoa consumption at night.

Instead, the best time to drink cocoa is in the morning. It not only boosts alertness and lifts your mood as an alternative to coffee but also aids digestion, provides valuable nutrients, and supplies antioxidants to keep you youthful and energized.

If you follow these tips, drinking cocoa every day can bring surprising benefits—from better health to improved beauty—since cocoa truly deserves its title as a “superfood.”