According to this interesting article, raw cocoa powder has more antioxidant flavonoids than any other food tested. Antioxidant flavonoids are special because on top of destroying free radicals like other antioxidants, they also have memory and mood boosting properties. Phenethylamine is a neurotransmitter found in cocoa that acts as a mood elevator and natural antidepressant.The University of Michigan Health System also report that cocoa may possess endorphin-boosting properties and boost serotonin (a neurotransmitter found in antidepressants). In a study on rats filed by the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, a dose of 70% cocoa also lowered blood pressure by an average of 50 mmHg. One serving which is two tablespoons of cocoa powder provides 3.6 grams of fiber (15% DV), 8% daily value of iron, and 14% of magnesium.

Considering all this good stuff about cocoa powder, you may wonder what exactly you could use cocoa in. Here are the foods I love cocoa powder in.

• -Oatmeal/hot cereal
• -Smoothies
• -Hot chocolate/frozen hot chocolate
• -Mixed with jam to make a chocolate PB&J sandwich
• -Mochas
• -And of course, dark chocolate! The darker, the healthier.

Fun fact: a serving of cocoa powder has about 16mg of caffeine. Also, check out Chocolate Covered Katie for more ideas on how to use cocoa powder in your cooking. She is vegan and actually uses as much cocoa powder as I do in her food!