Velvet Cocoa

Chocolate & Wellness

At Velvet Cocoa, we believe that true luxury and genuine wellness are not mutually exclusive. Dark chocolate, when sourced and crafted with integrity, is one of nature's most remarkable gifts, a confection that delights the senses while nourishing the body.

Not all chocolate is created equal. The healthiest chocolate is dark couverture chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids. All research conducted on the health benefits of chocolate has been performed with 70% cocoa-content dark chocolate. The higher the cocoa content, the greater the benefit.

The Power of Antioxidants

Cocoa is naturally loaded with polyphenols and procyanidins, both of which have remarkable beneficial effects on the body's cardiovascular system. These powerful compounds work to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and increase the HDL/LDL ratio.

Studies have shown that as soon as 30 minutes after consuming one 40 gram serving of dark chocolate, blood levels of the two main antioxidants, epicatechin and catechin, are measurably heightened. They peak two hours after consumption.

Around 12-16% of the weight of dry raw cocoa beans consists of polyphenols alone, making dark chocolate and cocoa powder among the most antioxidant-rich foods on earth.

The Chemistry of Bliss

Chocolate contains between 300 and 500 different known chemicals, some of which interact with brain chemistry and alter mood. The scientific name for the cacao tree, Theobroma, is derived from Latin and means "food of the gods." These are the key compounds that make chocolate so extraordinary:

Mood Enhancing Compounds

• Phenylethylamine
  Promotes feelings of pleasure, excitement and emotional warmth
• Serotonin
  Acts as a mood stabilizer, regulates sleep and improves memory and learning functions
• Tryptophan
  Inspires a genuine feeling of happiness and contentment
• Theobromine
  A gentle stimulant that can help treat high blood pressure — the higher the cacao percentage, the more theobromine present

Naturally Rich in Minerals

Cocoa naturally contains impressive levels of essential minerals that are vital for good health. One average dark chocolate bar at 70% cocoa content provides nearly 12 percent of your daily requirement for magnesium, important for those at risk of chronic illness.

Key Minerals Found in Cocoa

• Magnesium
  Supports cardiovascular health and reduces risk of type 2 diabetes
• Potassium
  Essential for heart function and healthy blood pressure
• Copper
  Supports immune function and iron absorption
• Manganese
  Important for bone health and metabolic function
• Phosphorus & Calcium
  Essential for strong bones and cellular function

Proven Health Benefits

Modern science continues to validate what ancient cultures like the Aztecs and Mayans understood centuries ago, that cacao is a powerful medicinal food. Research has demonstrated that regular consumption of high quality dark chocolate offers the following benefits:

• Cognitive Performance
  Italian researchers studying 467 subjects found that consuming cocoa flavanols had measurable positive effects on cognitive test performance
• Heart Health
  Reduces LDL bad cholesterol and lowers risk of stroke through powerful antioxidant activity
• Mood & Stress Reduction
  Research from the Experimental Biology 2018 annual meeting showed consuming dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao has positive effects on stress levels and mood
• Depression
  A University College London study of nearly 14,000 people found those who ate dark chocolate were 70% less likely to have symptoms of depression
• Skin Health
  Antioxidants protect cells from damaging free radicals that degrade skin and organs
• Memory
  Daily cocoa consumption showed long-term positive impact on memory in older adults experiencing early decline

The Velvet Cocoa Standard

At Velvet Cocoa, every product in our collection meets the standard required to deliver these remarkable benefits. We source only cacao with the highest polyphenol content, processed with methods that preserve the integrity of every beneficial compound.

Because we believe that the finest chocolate should not only taste extraordinary, it should make you feel extraordinary too.