Cocoa butter, extracted from cocoa bean seeds, is valued not only for its magnificent chocolate aroma but also for its high content of beneficial fatty acids that contribute to maintaining skin health and overall well-being.
Cocoa butter is a valuable source of antioxidants and fatty acids, such as oleic, palmitic, and stearic.
For cosmetic purposes, cocoa butter is used for moisturizing and nourishing the skin, as it contains vitamins E and K.
Cocoa butter also has a protective effect against ultraviolet radiation, making it useful on sunny days.
Nutritional Value
The glycemic index of cocoa butter is almost zero, making it ideal for low-carbohydrate diets.
Lipid Profile
Overall, cocoa butter is predominantly composed of saturated fats, although the proportion of monounsaturated fats is high.
The main fatty acids are:
- Palmitic acid (saturated) – about 25%.
- Stearic acid (saturated) – about 35%.
- Oleic acid (monounsaturated) – about 35-40%.