Chocolate Brownie Balls

It is probably safe to say that majority of us don’t need convincing to consume a good quality chocolate daily. If you’re one of the ones that may need a little push, A recent 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) investigated the effects of daily cocoa flavanol supplementation on skin conditions in moderately photo-aged Korean women aged 43–86 years. Participants consumed either a placebo beverage or a cocoa beverage containing 320 mg of total cocoa flavanols daily.

Here’s what the cocoa drinkers experienced:

• Fewer Wrinkles: After six months, they had noticeably smoother skin, with a reduction in wrinkle depth.
• Bouncier, More Elastic Skin: Improvements in skin elasticity were seen as early as 12 weeks—and continued through week 24.
• Hydration? There weren’t major changes in skin hydration or barrier function, so don’t ditch your moisturizer just yet.

So, what does this mean for you?

1. Aim for about 320 mg of cocoa flavanols per day. If you’re unsure of how to achieve this – aiming for dark chocolate varieties >70%, adding cacao nibs.
2. Not all cocoa products are created equal—standard chocolate often loses flavanols during processing. Look for high-flavanol cocoa powder made to preserve these compounds.
3. Results didn’t happen overnight. The biggest changes appeared after 3–6 months of daily use. So consistency is key! Chocolate daily? Say Less.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a natural, tasty way to support your skin as it ages—especially when it comes to wrinkles and elasticity—adding a high-flavanol cocoa supplement to your daily routine might be worth a try! 🍫✨

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References

1. PMID: 26581682