@bupa: Is cacao actually healthy? 🍫 This #WorldChocolateDay, we're taking a closer look at the wellness drink everyone's talking about. Cacao is having a moment, thanks to its reputation as a less processed alternative to cocoa and its perceived association with plant compounds called flavanols. Flavanols are naturally occurring plant compounds found in foods such as tea, apples and berries. Research suggests they may support cardiovascular health and healthy blood vessel function. Both cacao and cocoa come from the same cacao bean, but the word cacao is generally used to describe products that have undergone less processing, while cocoa is typically roasted and may be further processed. However, there is no universally accepted scientific definition of cacao versus cocoa. When it comes to health benefits, there is currently no robust body of evidence showing that cacao is inherently healthier than cocoa or, indeed, healthy at all. Most clinical research has focused on cocoa flavanols rather than products specifically labelled as cacao. So while cacao may appeal as a less processed option, the evidence suggests that flavanol content – not whether a product is called cacao or cocoa – is likely to be the more important factor.

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Tuesday 07 July 2026 09:00:09 GMT