Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels
Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels
Is Dark Chocolate Good for Your Skin?
by Mo Mandegar, PhD
on Jun 29 2026
"Eat dark chocolate for glowing skin" is part true and part wishful.Real randomized trials found that about 320 milligrams of cocoaflavanols a day improved skin elasticity and cut ultraviolet (UV)induced redness by roughly 25 percent over 12 weeks. The catch isdose: a single square delivers far less. Here is what the researchactually shows, and how chocolate fits into skin health.
Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels
Does Dark Chocolate Improve Mood? What the Science Says
by Mo Mandegar, PhD
on Jun 15 2026
Reaching for chocolate after a hard day is not pure imagination. Incontrolled trials, a roughly 500-milligram dose of cocoa polyphenolslifted positive mood while a 250-milligram dose did nothing, and 85percent cocoa outperformed 70 percent. Here is what the research showsabout dark chocolate and mood, the biology behind it, and why cocoaquality sets the limit.
Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels
Is Cacao a Superfood? What the Science Actually Says
by Mo Mandegar, PhD
on Jun 12 2026
The cacao bean carries more folklore than almost any food, and modernscience has spent two decades sorting the real nutrition from themarketing. Raw cacao ranks among the most antioxidant-dense foodsmeasured and supplies magnesium, iron, and mood compounds liketheobromine. Here is what the evidence supports, what it doesn't, andwhy heavy processing quietly strips away most of the benefit.
Protein & Nutrition Blog – Marmels
Raw Cacao vs Cocoa Powder: What's the Real Difference?
by Mo Mandegar, PhD
on May 24 2026
Raw cacao and cocoa powder come from the same fermented bean. Thedifference is processing — and processing can wipe out 30 to 60percent of cacao's heat-sensitive flavanols. Here's what changesbetween the two powders, how they compare on nutrition, and whichone to keep in the pantry.
