Due to its notable benefits, cocoa butter is added almost to various skincare products.
Cocoa butter is beneficial for various health issues, such as hair loss, skin irritation, aging, liver disease symptoms, and high cholesterol. As cocoa butter is packed with vitamin K, vitamin E, and choline, it enhances skin health. Due to its notable benefits, cocoa butter is added almost to various skincare products.
Let’s explore some of the health benefits of cocoa butter:
- Prevents aging: Cocoa butter is rich in antioxidants. Due to the presence of oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid, cocoa butter can scavenge free radicals and neutralize them. If used in skincare, cocoa butter would help to diminish fine lines and age marks.
- Haircare: Cocoa butter enhances the texture and strength of the hair by providing it with the necessary moisturization. It can also impart fragrance to the hair.
- Skin healing properties: Cocoa butter added creams are used in patients with eczema and dermatitis. The abundance of moisture and protective oil-based nature of cocoa butter relieves itching. Also, the skin heals up quickly after a flare-up.
- Protects against sun damage: Ultraviolet or UV rays are responsible for skin damage. Studies have shown that the phytochemicals in cocoa butter protect the skin from the damage caused by UV rays and lowers the risk of skin disease.
- Reduces cholesterol: The oleic acid present in cocoa butter is heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, which means that they curb the growing harmful cholesterol. Thus, cocoa butter boosts good cholesterol in the body, preventing heart attack and other associated symptoms.
- Declines liver disease symptoms: Choline deficiency can be linked with some form of liver disease. As cocoa butter has sufficient choline, it can help reduce the risk of liver diseases or manage them.
- Improved bone health: Vitamin K is essential for the body to build and maintain bones. Cocoa butter contains a small amount of vitamin K that may help boost bone health.
Besides the above benefits, cocoa butter also supports the following function due to the presence of vitamin E:
- Vision
- Reproduction
- Health of the brain, skin, and blood
What is cocoa butter?
Cocoa butter or theobroma oil is a light-yellow, edible vegetable fat found in cocoa beans. They have a mild chocolate flavor and aroma. Cocoa butter is extracted from the beans by fermenting, drying, roasting, stripping, and pressing the beans. It is mainly used as an ingredient in the following products:
- Skin creams
- Lotions
- Lip balms
- Dessert recipes
The physical properties of cocoa butter make it more desirable, which include:
- Remaining brittle at room temperature and melting just below body temperature
- Discouraging rancidity
- Shelf life of 2-5 years