Cacao Nutrition: Magnesium, Flavanols and Why Quality Matters

Chocolate gets plenty of attention for taste. Cacao deserves more attention for nutrition.

That distinction matters because real cacao is more than an ingredient used to make something taste chocolatey. Cacao naturally contains minerals and plant compounds, including magnesium and cocoa flavanols, that make it nutritionally very different from chocolate-flavored foods built primarily around sugar and highly processed cocoa.

At Rockin Wellness, this is exactly why real raw cacao is the first ingredient in our Chocolate Cacao nutritional shake and an important part of our Mocha formula.

So what does cacao actually provide?

Is Cacao a Good Source of Magnesium?

Cacao naturally contains magnesium, an essential mineral the body needs for hundreds of biochemical processes.

Magnesium contributes to normal:

• Muscle and nerve function
• Energy metabolism
• Bone health
• Protein synthesis
• Heart function

That is important because magnesium has become one of the most talked-about supplements online.

But magnesium does not only come from a bottle.

Plant foods including seeds, legumes, leafy greens and cacao can contribute magnesium as part of the diet.

That is one reason we prefer to look at cacao as nutrition first and chocolate flavor second.

What Are Cocoa Flavanols?

Cocoa flavanols are naturally occurring plant compounds found in cacao beans.

They belong to a larger family of compounds called flavonoids.

Researchers have studied cocoa flavanols for their effects on blood vessel function and cardiovascular health, and research continues into their possible roles in cognition and other areas of health.

The important point for shoppers is that not every chocolate product contains the same amount of flavanols.

Processing can make a major difference.

Is Cacao the Same as Cocoa Powder?

Not necessarily.

The words "cacao" and "cocoa" are sometimes used inconsistently by manufacturers, so the name on the front of the package does not tell you everything.

One processing method consumers should know about is alkalization, also called Dutch processing.

Alkalized cocoa is treated to reduce acidity and create a darker color and smoother flavor.

The problem?

Alkalization can significantly reduce naturally occurring cocoa flavanols.

So if you are buying chocolate nutrition specifically because you want the benefits associated with cacao, it is worth asking what type of cacao or cocoa is actually being used.

Why Does Rockin Wellness Use Real Raw Cacao?

Because we never wanted chocolate to be there simply as flavoring.

Real raw cacao is the first ingredient in Rockin Wellness Chocolate Cacao.

It is combined with other plant-based ingredients including chia, flax and hemp to create a nutritional shake designed around whole-food ingredients rather than simply adding chocolate flavor to a protein powder.

Our Mocha formula also combines cacao with coffee for people who want that rich chocolate-coffee combination.

And there is another distinction we consider important:

We do not use cheap alkalized cocoa as a substitute for real cacao.

Processing matters when the ingredient itself is part of the reason you are consuming the product.

Does Cacao Help With Energy?

Cacao provides nutrients involved in normal energy metabolism, including magnesium.

But cacao should not be advertised as a magic energy cure.

Feeling energetic depends on many things, including sleep, hydration, overall calorie intake, iron status, physical activity and general health.

What cacao can do is contribute meaningful plant-based nutrition as part of a well-designed diet.

That is a much more useful way to think about it than chasing another trendy "energy" ingredient.

Is Cacao Good for Brain Health?

Researchers have studied cocoa flavanols because of their potential effects on vascular function, including blood flow.

Some research has also explored whether cocoa flavanols may affect aspects of cognitive function, particularly in older adults.

That does not mean drinking cacao cures brain fog or prevents memory problems.

It does mean cacao contains bioactive plant compounds that are scientifically interesting for reasons that go far beyond taste.

Is More Cacao Always Better?

No.

This is where nutrition marketing often gets silly.

A product does not automatically become healthier because somebody dumps an enormous amount of one "superfood" into it.

Quality, sourcing, processing, serving size and the complete nutritional formula matter.

Cacao can also naturally contain varying levels of metals such as cadmium depending on where it was grown, which is another reason responsible sourcing and product testing are important.

Rockin Wellness products are lab-tested and designed to meet applicable California Proposition 65 requirements.

For a product you may consume regularly, that matters just as much as the ingredient list.

What Should You Look for When Buying Cacao?

If you are choosing a cacao powder, chocolate nutritional shake or superfood powder, ask these questions:

Is cacao actually a meaningful ingredient?

Look at where cacao appears on the ingredient list.

Is the cocoa alkalized?

If preserving naturally occurring flavanols matters to you, processing matters.

Is the product loaded with added sugar?

Chocolate flavor and cacao nutrition are not the same thing.

What else comes with the cacao?

Look at the complete formula, including protein, seeds, fiber sources and other ingredients.

Is the finished product tested?

Especially with cacao-based products, quality testing should be part of the conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cacao and cocoa?

The terminology varies, but cacao commonly refers to less heavily processed cacao-bean products. Some cocoa powders undergo additional processing such as alkalization. Checking the actual processing method is more useful than relying only on the front label.

Does cacao contain magnesium?

Yes. Cacao naturally provides magnesium along with other minerals and plant compounds.

What are cacao flavanols?

Cacao flavanols are naturally occurring plant compounds found in cocoa beans. They have been studied extensively for their effects on vascular function and other areas of health.

Is alkalized cocoa as nutritious as cacao?

Alkalization changes cocoa chemically and can significantly reduce naturally occurring flavanols.

Is cacao better than chocolate flavoring?

If you are looking for the compounds naturally present in cacao, an actual cacao ingredient provides something chocolate flavoring alone cannot.

What kind of cacao does Rockin Wellness use?

Rockin Wellness uses real raw cacao rather than inexpensive alkalized cocoa, with cacao as the first ingredient in Rockin Wellness Chocolate Cacao.

The Bottom Line

Maybe we have been asking the wrong question about chocolate.

Instead of asking:

"Does it taste chocolatey?"

Ask:

"Where is that chocolate coming from?"

Real cacao brings naturally occurring minerals, flavanols and plant compounds to the table.

That is why Rockin Wellness starts Chocolate Cacao with real raw cacao as the first ingredient.

Chocolate happens to taste great.

Cacao gives us a much better reason to use it.