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Cocoa butter is a type of vegetable fat that is extracted from cocoa beans. Due to the strong flavor and aroma of cocoa beans, cocoa butter shares a very similar taste and smell. Cocoa butter is edible, but is very high in calories, so despite its health benefits, be aware that it can contribute to obesity if consumed in large quantities. The other name for cocoa butter is theobroma oil, so in some parts of the world, it may be referred to as such. One of the most important qualities of cocoa butter is its high stability as compared to other fats. This unique aspect gives it a very impressive shelf life of 2-5 years, which is even further improved by the antioxidants found in cocoa butter, thereby reducing the chances of the oil becoming rancid. Discover some of the health benefits of cocoa butter.

1. Anti-Aging

One of the reasons that cocoa butter is so valuable is its high concentration of antioxidant compounds, including oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. Although these are technically fatty acids, they are beneficial for the body, and help to neutralize free radicals throughout the body, particularly in the skin. By reducing the occurrence of oxidative stress, cocoa butter can help reduce the signs of aging, including wrinkles and age marks. Research has also shown cocoa butter to reduce the appearance of scars on the skin and help to boost overall skin health.

2. Increase Hair Quality

Aside from the delicious aroma of cocoa, cocoa butter can also help to moisturize your hair, helping to improve its general appearance and strength. Cocoa butter has also been linked to a lower incidence of dandruff and healthier hair follicle beds, thereby reducing hair loss and preventing the onset of male pattern baldness.

3. Skin Health

 The antioxidant qualities of cocoa butter certainly take care of most signs of aging, but cocoa butter also provides a barrier for the skin that will protect it from outside agents as well. The antioxidants and beneficial organic molecules protect the skin from environmental, internal, and external forces that can cause irritation or damage to the skin.

4. Pleasant shaves

Use cocoa butter while shaving and makes the process smoother for men.Cocoa butter provides smooth and less irritating shave, leaving your skin incredibly smooth. It is possible to mix bar form of cocoa butter with shave lotions to achieve its benefits.

5. Fades Stretch Marks

 Cocoa butter is widely noted to help reduce stretch marks. Many women claim that regular use of cocoa butter was what kept their stretch marks away during and after pregnancy.. It is also said to help heal scars.

6. Reduces Inflammation

The rich blend of fatty acids and antioxidants in cocoa butter make it an ideal choice for people who want to reduce inflammation of the skin. Whether you apply cocoa butter to psoriasis, eczema, rashes, or other types of inflammation on the body, you can find quick, soothing relief, combined with a delicious aroma. This can also be achieved through the consumption of cocoa butter in the form of chocolate, which is how most people choose to access these health benefits. Despite the negative impact that excess fat can have on the cardiovascular system, some early research is showing an improvement in inflammatory condition in the heart when treated with moderate amounts of cocoa butter.

You can find cocoa butter in many forms, but it is still primarily consumed in chocolate. Cocoa butter is used in various applications, including cosmetics, chocolates, ointments, and some pharmaceuticals. Its stability at room temperature but relatively low melting point also make it an ideal base oil for suppositories and other medicinal creams. As mentioned earlier, cocoa butter is very high in fats, and while some of these are beneficial for various parts of the body, there is still high a concentration of calories in cocoa butter, and should therefore not be relied on too heavily by people suffering from obesity or trying to reduce their caloric intake.