Surprising Health Benefits of Consuming Raw Cacao Powder

Last updated: June 2026
This guide is regularly updated with the latest insights on raw cacao.

Did you know that World Chocolate Day falls on the 7th of July each year? Too much regular, processed chocolate isn't exactly healthy, but in its raw and least processed form, cacao actually qualifies as a superfood. And superfood isn't an empty buzzword: these are foods with significantly higher amounts of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Raw cacao powder is right at the top. Here are the surprising benefits.

1. Raw cacao - the antioxidant king from the Amazon

Raw cacao is known for its exceptionally high antioxidant content: up to forty times more antioxidants than fresh blueberries, with an ORAC value of around 98,000 per 100 grams versus roughly 2,400 for blueberries. But why do antioxidants matter? They help neutralise free radicals. Those arise partly from toxins and pollution and play a role in the ageing of cells and tissue. Antioxidants thus contribute to your overall well-being.

2. Cacao and your mood

Have you ever felt better after a piece of chocolate? There's an explanation. Raw cacao contains the amino acid tryptophan, which your body converts into serotonin, one of the brain's best-known 'happy' chemicals. Serotonin is associated with a steadier mood and a sense of satisfaction. That's why raw cacao is traditionally valued as a tasty, natural pick-me-up.

3. A source of magnesium, iron and zinc

Raw cacao powder is rich in essential minerals. It contains notably high amounts of magnesium, iron and zinc. Magnesium is involved in hundreds of processes in the body, iron plays a role in oxygen transport via haemoglobin, and zinc is important for your immune system and cell growth. A deficiency in these minerals is common, and raw cacao powder can be a tasty way to top them up.

4. Cacao and brain function

Raw, cold-processed cacao contains flavanols. Research suggests that flavanols, once in your bloodstream, accumulate in the hippocampus, where they may play a role in supporting memory and concentration. So next time you need to study or prepare for an exam, a raw cacao snack or drink isn't a bad idea.

5. Cacao and your cardiovascular system

The antioxidants in cacao beans are linked in research to better circulation as the blood vessels widen. Studies suggest cacao may contribute to a healthy blood pressure and blood sugar level. These are cautious, hopeful signals from research, not a medical promise; cacao is a treat, not a medicine.

6. Cacao for skin and teeth

The benefits don't end there. When you're well nourished from the inside, it often shows on the outside too. The antioxidants and minerals in raw cacao are associated with healthy skin, and its naturally occurring magnesium contributes to normal bone metabolism. Just always choose good-quality cacao to get the most out of it.

How to choose the right raw cacao product?

Worth knowing: regular store-bought chocolate or cocoa contains barely any of the vital components and minerals that raw cacao still has. During processing, 60% to 90% of those valuable compounds are lost. Raw cacao is processed specifically to preserve everything, and is usually available as raw cacao powder or raw cacao paste. Want to know how that production process works? Read our article How is raw cacao made? And if you're torn between powder and paste, we compare them in cacao powder vs. cacao paste.

Always choose cacao that's 100% cold-processed so it keeps its natural compounds. At Next Level you'll find raw cacao from Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia in our raw cacao selection.

But there's more.

The value of cacao reaches beyond nutrition alone. Want to know how cacao can also touch you in a calm, ceremonial way? Read about the effects of a raw cacao ceremony and about hosting a cacao ceremony.

Last updated: June 2026 | Next Level Smart