7 Cocoa Flavanol Supplements For Easeful Aging
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Our editors have researched and taken the best clean supplements on the market — these are our favorite brands for cocoa flavanols that are clinically backed.
We all strive to “eat the rainbow” as part of our ongoing efforts to maintain a strong health blueprint. Naturally, this means noshing on a host of fruits and vegetables packed with “flavonoids.” Flavonoids are a diverse group of plant-based compounds responsible for the colors in fruits, vegetables, and even flowers. But beyond the vibrant color they can provide, they also carry a lot of health-boosting qualities. One particular flavonoid that we’ve taken a particular liking to is known as a flavanol. Flavanols are being recognized more and more for their potential health benefits related to aging and longevity. They deliver concentrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, making them a lovely staple in a comprehensive, mindful aging routine.
Flavanols have been linked to improved cardiovascular health and cognitive function, and are known to reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, making them especially supportive of a slower and easier aging process. When consumed consistently, flavanols reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are essential to overall health and wellbeing. Although flavanols are found in a variety of foods and beverages, one of the most beneficial comes in the form of cocoa. Cocoa flavanols are emerging as a wellness must-have, and we have no complaints about that.
What are cocoa flavanols — and why do they matter for aging?
Although we’d love any excuse to stock up on dark chocolate bars, the health-boosting properties of cocoa flavanols are easily compromised by the processing of conventional chocolate and cocoa products. To reap all the cacao flavanol benefits, it’s best to stick to raw, unprocessed cocoa, with no added fillers or sugars.
Cocoa is an ancient fermented product made from the bean of the cacao tree. The documented and perceived rewards of consuming raw cocoa date back centuries, with the ancient Mesoamericans believing it to be mystical and using it to boost energy and as an aphrodisiac. The Mayans considered it a gift from the gods and used it for sacred ceremonies and funeral offerings. Those ancient civilizations were on to something, and it’s now well-known that cacao offers health-boosting benefits.
Cocoa flavanols owe much of their notable qualities to catechins — the specific compounds that have been proven to improve heart health, reduce blood pressure, and promote brain health. Additionally, as mentioned, raw cacao is rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, and contains a balance of healthy fats and protein. And because, as we age, we often seek longevity-promoting supplements focused on preserving brain and heart health, daily consumption of cocoa flavanols is an excellent option to include in those efforts to ease the aging process. It does so by aiding in the prevention of cardiovascular events and diseases, as well as helping delay cognitive decline, including memory loss. Cocoa flavanols have also been proven to positively influence circulation, regulate blood flow, and prevent blood clots, thereby reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. When it comes to brainpower, cocoa flavanols are neuroprotective, preserving cognitive abilities and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in addition to lowering the risk of stroke. It’s also no secret that chocolate is found to improve mood.
A key consideration when incorporating cacao flavanols into your health routine is that they naturally contain small amounts of caffeine, which provides that slight energy boost. For this reason, we recommend adding cocoa flavanol supplements to your morning routine, rather than taking them before bed.
Our criteria:
Our editors have tested, researched, and corresponded with leading supplement brands to pick our favorite cocoa flavanol formulas that meet our high standards. From easy-to-swallow supplements to raw cocoa to mix into your smoothie, we’ve chosen brands that will make getting effective dosages of cocoa flavanols super easy. We regularly update this guide with new favorites that meet the following criteria:
- CLEAN INGREDIENTS | All supplements are free of unnecessary fillers, sweeteners, or artificial additives — and all of them are third-party tested for purity.
- CLINICALLY BACKED | These brands use clinical studies or partner with experts to develop evidence-based formulas. Some are even involved in ongoing research.
- EASY TO TAKE | Whether in capsule, powder, or mix-in form, these cocoa supplements are easy to incorporate into your daily routine and taste great, too.
If you’re interested in building out a routine to support aging, check out our favorite longevity supplements and our guide to NAD supplements, too.
1. CocoaVia
Best For | Brain and heart health
Active Ingredients | Cocoapro™ proprietary botanical blend, Cocoapro™ cocoa extract, lutein
Prices starting at | $30
CocoaVia’s supplements make getting your clinically proven cocoa flavanols super simple, whether you’re focused on brain health, cardiovascular health, or both! Their Cardio Health supplement improves blood flow in just two hours, while Memory+ supports three types of memory (because we’ve got enough to keep track of!). With 20+ years of research behind it, CocoaVia™ is a science-backed way to show your body a little love daily. We also love their Cardio Health powder for adding to smoothies, coffee, or baked goods for a chocolatey flavor without any sugars. It contains the same cocoa flavanol levels used in the groundbreaking COSMOS trial, and it meets the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ daily flavanol recommendation. Delicious, easy, and supportive!
Customer Review | “First product to have an effect on our memory. My wife and I agree that these do seem to have a benefit.” – Walter H (Read more reviews.)
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2. Wild Foods
Best For | Earth-conscious flavanols
Active Ingredients | Cold-processed raw cacao powder
Prices starting at | $15
Wild Foods Wild Cocoa Powder is made from high-quality, heirloom cacao beans grown using sustainable farming practices. The cacao pods used are hand-picked and processed nearby on small family farms. Wild Foods uses a cold processing method to maintain the best nutritional value and contains no added sugar. A little goes a long way, and you only need a small amount of Wild Foods Cocoa per day to enjoy improved brain function, increased energy levels, and enhanced mood. You can also use Wild Chocolate powder for cooking, baking, recipes, salt rubs, and spice blends. With 57 servings in a single batch, this is an excellent option for budget-conscious individuals.
Customer Review | “This chocolate powder has a deep, rich flavor. It’s perfect for everything from baking to smoothies.” – Mary D (Read more reviews.)
3. Ora Cacao
Best For | Ceremonial beverages
Active Ingredients | Organic cacao beans
Prices starting at | $49
Inspired by the traditional, open-fire-roasted, hand-peeled, and stone-ground chocolate-making culture in Oaxaca, Mexico, Ora Cacao’s founder created a line of single-source Ceremonial Cacao reminiscent of his own experiences in Mexico. Even the Ora Cacao factory was built to replicate the ancient cacao-making practices that he had observed during his travels. Ora Cocoa only purchases its cacao from smallholder family farms that use regenerative methods. All Ora Coaco comes in the form of wafers or discs that can be consumed directly or made into a decadent cup of liquid chocolate. Ora Coaco is intentionally sourced from organic cacao beans from various countries, much like coffee beans, allowing you to choose your flavor and enjoy the influence of different cultures and climates.
Customer Review | “I have struggled with fatigue and brain fog, and switched to cacao rather than coffee. I am starting to feel better in the mornings and look forward to my variety of flavors.”- Laura B (Read more reviews.)
4. Flava Naturals
Best For | Adding to smoothies
Active Ingredients | Cocoa powder
Prices starting at | $50
FlavaMix performance cocoa powder delivers a whopping 900 mg of Cocoa Flavanols – one of the most concentrated mixes in our guide. These levels have been shown to enhance brain function, promote heart health, and support healthy blood sugar levels. Flava Naturals sources and uses only premium, flavanol-rich beans and is dedicated to preserving the flavanol content through a proprietary method of fermentation, roasting, and handling. Flava Natural FlavaMix is non-GMO, and as a bonus, the company offers numerous recipes to incorporate the mix.
Customer Review | “TI love my Flava Mix powder and put it in my coffee every morning to make a delicious mocha drink to start my day. It really clears my head and gets me going to tackle the day. I also love it pre-workout for boosting my energy and stamina. I started looking for something with high cocoa flavanols after I read a Harvard study that said it’s good for my heart and found this product and am glad I did!” – K Shapiro (Read more reviews.)
5. Swanson
Best For | Convenience
Active Ingredients | Full-spectrum raw cacao
Prices starting at | $4.50
If you’re averse to the bitterness of raw cacao, Swanson offers unbelievably affordable Full Spectrum Cacao in a convenient capsule form. So you can absorb all the benefits of cocoa without having to taste it. That said, for those who enjoy mixing cocoa into other consumables but appreciate the convenience and secondary option in pill form, these capsules can be easily opened and added to a wide range of items, including smoothies, baked goods, coffee, and tea. Kudos to Swanson for continuing to keep their products accessible and affordable without skimping on quality.
Customer Review | “If you want a good Cacao at a good price, this is it, I not only take the capsules, I open them and use 1 or 2 for cooking or on ice-cream” – Yahtzee (Read more reviews.)
6. Thorne
Best For | Overall wellbeing and recovery
Active Ingredients | Cacao with green tea phytosome, vitamin B, molybdenum glycinate, grape seed phytosome, broccoli, curcumin phytosome
Prices starting at | $92
Thorne’s MediClear-SGS™ in chocolate veers slightly from other cocoa supplements listed in this guide in that it is more of a multi-tasking powerhouse supplement. It’s a bit pricey, but we felt it was worth mentioning because what you get in return is an easy-to-digest rice and pea protein formula loaded with multi-vitamins and minerals, as well as the added antioxidant support of cocoa and broccoli seed extract.
Customer Review | “I have been on MediClear for over 20 years and I truly believe that it has been a factor in my health through heart surgery and numerous health issues. At 76 I had clear arteries and my lab numbers continue to be normal at 80 years old. At one point I did not take it for about a week and almost immediately I felt the difference. I would recommend this to anyone. Plus, every time I contacted the office, they were extremely helpful and very pleasant. I highly recommend MediClear.” – John (Read more reviews.)
7. NOW Real Foods
Best For | Rich taste
Active Ingredients | Raw and organic cacao powder
Prices starting at | $10 (136 servings)
NOW Real Food®’s raw and organic Cacao Powder is sourced from Peru, where the raw cacao beans used are slowly fermented to bring out a rich flavor. The beans are then sun-dried, rather than roasted, to retain all the flavonoids and nutrients. NOW Real Foods also participates in the Fair Trade program, promoting environmental sustainability and fostering positive relationships within the local farming community it sources from, so you can feel even better while sipping your delicious cacao.
Customer Review | “Freshly ground! Wonderful stay fresh packaging!” – Georgia (Read more reviews.)
Featured image is from CocoaVia
Randi Donahue is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She is currently earning an MS in Health Science and Functional & Integrative Nutrition from Northwestern Health Sciences University. She brings over 10 years of research and writing expertise, focusing on making complex health and wellness concepts more accessible to readers. When not writing about health topics, you can find her reviewing the latest outdoor products and wellness tech. Based on Florida’s Gulf Coast, she and her family are passionate about nature and believe the path to a healthy and prosperous life requires authenticity, kindness, and a whole lot of fresh air.
