Join Dr. Van Dyken as she discusses the health benefits of Cacao.
She describes an overview and history, makeup of cacao seeds and effects on the microbiome. She shares research on other health benefits including increasing nitric oxide, hearth health, brain health, blood sugar stabilization, and its effects on the skin. She discusses which form of cacao is the best - nibs, powder, supplements? She also talks about concerns regarding cadmium contamination of cacao.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:08 Overview and history of cacao
02:56 Composition of cacao seeds
04:28 Cacao and the microbiome
05:54 Cacao and nitric oxide
06:48 Cacao and Cardiovascular Health
09:29 Cacao and Neurologic Benefits
11:36 Cacao and Blood Glucose Levels
12:34 Cacao and the Skin
14:01 Cacao, metabolism, and mitochondrial health
14:53 Best forms of cacao
16:09 Cacao and Cadmium Contamination
17:33 Dosages of Cacao
18:54 Conclusion

References cited:
1. "Impact of cocoa flavanols on human health" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33722...
2. "Flavanol monomer-induced changes to the human faecal microflora" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17977...
3. "Cocoa flavanols and endothelium-dependent vasodilation - EFSA." 16 Jul. 2012, https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajou...
4. Blood pressure control and lifespan: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32101...
5. "Effect of cocoa on blood pressure" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28439...
6. "The COCOA-PAD Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32078...
7. "Cocoa flavanols and brain perfusion" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16794...
8. "Benefits in cognitive function, blood pressure, and insulin resistance through cocoa flavanol consumption in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment: the Cocoa, Cognition, and Aging (CoCoA) study" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22892...
9. "Enhancing dentate gyrus function with dietary flavanols improves cognition in older adults" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
10. "The effect of flavanol-rich cocoa on the fMRI response to a cognitive task in healthy young people" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16794...
11. "Intake of Cocoa Products and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: The Multiethnic Cohort" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
12. "Evidence for physiological coupling of insulin-mediated glucose metabolism and limb blood flow" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11093...
13. "Long-term ingestion of high flavanol cocoa provides photoprotection against UV-induced erythema and improves skin condition in women" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16702...
14. "Alterations in skeletal muscle indicators of mitochondrial structure and biogenesis in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure: effects of epicatechin rich cocoa" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22376...
15. "Survey of commercially available chocolate- and cocoa-containing products in the United States. 2. Comparison of flavan-3-ol content with nonfat cocoa solids, total polyphenols, and percent cacao"
16. CDC Cadmium Factsheet. https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Cad...
17. "Best Dark Chocolates and Cocoas With the Least Contamination" https://www.consumerlab.com/news/best...