Health Benefits of Cocoa Butter

healthydailymail.com Some of the most important health benefits of cocoa butter include its ability to improve skin health, boost the immune system, increase hair quality, prevent signs of aging, and reduce inflammation.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is probably something that you’ve heard of in various applications, including cosmetics, chocolates, ointments, and some pharmaceuticals, but you may be unaware of what it actually us. Cocoa butter is a type of vegetable fat that is extracted from cocoa beans. Due to the strong flavor and aroma of cocoa beans, cocoa butter shares a very similar taste and smell. Cocoa butter is edible, but is very high in calories, so despite its health benefits, be aware that it can contribute to obesity if consumed in large quantities. The other name for cocoa butter is theobroma oil, so in some parts of the world, it may be referred to as such.

One of the most important qualities of cocoa butter is its high stability as compared to other fats. This unique aspect gives it a very impressive shelf life of 2-5 years, which is even further improved by the antioxidants found in cocoa butter, thereby reducing the chances of the oil becoming rancid. You can find cocoa butter in many forms, but it is still primarily consumed in chocolate. Its stability at room temperature but relatively low melting point also make it an ideal base oil for suppositories and other medicinal creams. Let’s take a closer look at some of the health benefits of cocoa butter.

Health Benefits of Cocoa Butter

Anti-Aging: One of the reasons that cocoa butter is so valuable is its high concentration of antioxidant compounds, including oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. Although these are technically fatty acids, they are beneficial for the body, and help to neutralize free radicals throughout the body, particularly in the skin. By reducing the occurrence of oxidative stress, cocoa butter can help reduce the signs of aging, including wrinkles and age marks. Research has also shown cocoa butter to reduce the appearance of scars on the skin and help to boost overall skin health.