Cocoa was first cultivated in ancient South America. During the Age of Exploration, the Spanish Conquistadors introduced it to Europe. In the 1850s, steam-powered machines allowed for the mass production of cocoa powder. Today, over 4.5 million tons of cocoa are consumed around the world every year.

Cocoa powder is made from cocoa beans, which come from the plant Theobroma cacao L. Cocoa beans are the primary ingredient in chocolate, but they can also be ground into cocoa powder. The powder provides many potential health benefits.

Cocoa powder provides tons of benefits, especially if your powder is at least 72% cocoa. Here’s a look at some of the health benefits of cocoa powder:

Research suggests that adding more cocoa powder to your diet helps to improve your attention, working memory, and general cognition. It may also restore cognitive performance in people with sleep loss.

Cocoa powder contains iron, zinc, and selenium. These minerals help your body function and give your immune system a boost.

Consuming cocoa powder can be helpful if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and undergo radiation therapy. The selenium in cocoa power has been shown to limit the negative side effects of radiotherapy in people with cancer.

Magnesium is important for regulating muscle contraction and helping with nerve function. The mineral also helps protect nerve cells and reduce the risk of neurological disorders. Cocoa powder contains magnesium, which means consuming it can help with maintaining healthy muscle and nervous system functioning.

Chocolate made with 90% cocoa contains plenty of zinc, a mineral that is useful for healing wounds.

Flavonols, a type of flavonoid found in dark chocolate, help to protect you from heart disease by lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, and preventing cell damage. Cocoa powder also contains polyphenols, antioxidants that help to improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.