Cocoa Butter During Pregnancy

The better thing than butter is more butter. This factual proverb is suitable for butter lovers. It directly means that nothing can equal butter, and only more butter could be better than it. Butter is of many types, as it comes from different sources. Among them, cocoa butter is controversial for its use by pregnant women. Let’s have a look at the effect of cocoa butter during pregnancy.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is also known as theobroma oil. It is a light-yellow-coloured vegetable fat that is derived from cocoa beans. The cocoa beans, obtained from the pods of the cocoa plant, are usually fermented and dried up. Then, they are roasted, stripped out of their shells, and crushed into nibs. Then, they are ground into a liquid called cocoa liquor and are pressed to draw out cocoa butter.

Cocoa beans are cultivated in tropical areas around the equator, especially in hot, humid climates, which are well suited for growing cocoa trees. Most of the world’s cocoa beans usually come from West African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast.

Cocoa butter can be used in many ways, similar to regular butter obtained from dairy products. Cocoa butter is used as an ingredient in chocolate and also in other applications like lotions, lip balms, skin creams, dessert recipes, etc.

Cocoa butter during pregnancy

Cocoa is safe to use when taken in moderate amounts through foods during pregnancy. But be sure to monitor your intake. This is because taking cocoa in larger amounts is unsafe as it contains caffeine and heavy metals. 

Is cocoa good for the first trimester?

Some evidence suggests that eating chocolate during pregnancy could reduce the complications of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. A study regarding chocolate concluded that eating a small amount of dark chocolate daily, beginning in the first trimester, enhanced the flow of blood to the unborn baby. 

How does cocoa butter help with pregnancy stretch marks?

The use of cocoa butter against stretch marks is not effective until you combine its advantages with the kind of “slow and steady” weight gain. As per a study, it was suggested that directly applying a cocoa butter lotion during pregnancy will not prevent the stretch marks that appear in many women.

Cocoa butter, also called theobroma oil, is a yellow-coloured fat that is obtained from roasted cacao eans. It was believed that it was a popular and natural option for reducing the appearance of stretch marks, but actually, it doesn’t work.

Nutritional Data of Cocoa butter

One tablespoon of cocoa butter contains:

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 0 grams
• Fat: 14 grams
• Carbohydrates: 0 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Sugar: 0 grams

Cocoa butter also contains the below minerals. They are:

• Phosphorus: It supports bone health.
• Potassium: It helps reduce blood pressure.
• Copper: It enhances brain health.
• Iron: It supports red blood cell activity.
• Zinc: It aids immune health.
• Magnesium: It helps with muscle and nerve health.

Other Butter during Pregnancy

Eating any type of butter is safe for a pregnant woman until she consumes it in a safe and moderate quantity. So, it’s wise to consume salted butter. Eating a large amount of butter is not advantageous for pregnant women because of its high-calorie content. Moreover, butter contains a lot of fat, which may lead to weight gain. When talking about peanut butter, it is safe to eat during pregnancy, but only in the correct amount.

Peanut butter is highly nutritious, as it is nutrient-packed and provides several health benefits. Both peanuts and peanut butter are good sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and folate. Diary butter is rich in folic acid and thus helps in the growth of the baby’s brain. Therefore, it is a better choice for pregnant women to consume butter, but it must be moderate.

Benefits of Cocoa Butter 

There are many benefits of using cocoa butter. Here are the benefits of Cocoa butter.

1)Vitamin E Source

Cocoa butter is high in vitamin E. Vitamin E has many functions, like supporting vision, reproduction, brain health, skin well-being, and blood health.

2) Skin Remedy

Cocoa butter is used in many topical treatments for treating conditions like eczema and dermatitis. The high moisture content and protective oil-based nature of the cocoa butter smoothen the itching and permit the skin to cure after swelling.

3)  Maintenance of the moisturization of your skin

The large amount of fatty acids in cocoa butter makes it suitable for use as a major ingredient in skin cream. Fatty acids help in hydrating the skin, and the fat forms a protective coat, retaining moisture and preventing the skin drying.

4) Protection against sun damage

The ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin could cause changes in the skin texture, damage skin cells, and increase the complications of skin cancer. The phytochemicals present in cocoa butter might protect against skin damage by preventing harmful UV rays and reducing the risk of skin diseases.

5) Maintenance of good cholesterol levels

Cocoa butter might manage the risk factor of cholesterol and lower the chances of getting a heart attack. The stearic acid in the cocoa butter is converted into a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid. This reduces the levels of bad and increases the level of good LDL and HDL cholesterol. High cholesterol is the main cause of conditions like heart disease. Thus, this cocoa butter might reduce the chances of a heart attack.

6) Reduction in liver disease symptoms

Cocoa butter contains a source of methyl groups called choline, which is needed in many steps of the metabolism. Moreover, choline deficiency is caused by some forms of liver disease. So, consuming cocoa butter in a moderate amount could help lower or manage the symptoms of liver disease.

7) Enhancing bone health

Cocoa butter also contains a small amount of vitamin K. Vitamin K is necessary for the building of your body and maintaining your bones.

Side Effects of Cocoa Butter

Though Cocoa butter has many advantages, it also has several disadvantages.  They are: 

1) Side effects when eaten

Cocoa, when taken by mouth, is not safe for many people. This is because cocoa contains caffeine and other chemicals, particularly heavy metals like lead. Thus, the intake of large amounts of cocoa might lead to caffeine-related side effects like nervousness, increased urination, sleeplessness, and a fast heartbeat. It could also lead to nausea, stomach discomfort, constipation, and gas.

2) Side effects when applied to the skin

When applied to the skin, cocoa butter is likely safe for most people. But, for some people, it can cause rashes. Cocoa could lead to allergic skin reactions and may also induce migraine headaches.

3) Side-effects in pregnant ladies

As mentioned above, cocoa and cocoa butter are safe when taken in moderate amounts during pregnancy. However, consuming cocoa in larger amounts is unsafe because it contains caffeine and heavy metals. In general, caffeine crosses the placenta, which is the same in the case of cocoa. At the time of pregnancy, high doses of caffeine may elevate complications like premature delivery, miscarriage, and low birth weight.

Make sure to maintain a caffeine consumption of less than 300 mg each day at the time of pregnancy. Each cup of unsweetened, dry cocoa powder contains about 200 mg of caffeine.

4) Side-effects in breastfeeding mothers

Cocoa is safe when used in moderate amounts while breastfeeding. As mentioned above, consuming cocoa in large amounts is unsafe, as it contains caffeine and heavy metals. It is believed that the concentration of caffeine in breast milk is about half the level of caffeine in the breastfeeding parent. So, when more cocoa and chocolate are consumed by breastfeeding mothers, it might irritate and cause frequent bowel movements in the nursing infant. 

5) Side-effects in children

Eating too much dark chocolate and cocoa products is unsafe for children since they contain high amounts of cocoa. Moreover, cocoa products contain high levels of lead, which can lead to serious health problems in children. However, there is not enough proof to tell if normal chocolate products containing lower amounts of cocoa are safe for children.

Here are some of the health issues that are caused by consuming cocoa or other cocoa-related products: 

1) Bleeding disorders

Cocoa has the ability to slow down blood clotting. Eating more cocoa products might raise the complications of bleeding and bruising in people who already have bleeding disorders.

2) Issues related to heart conditions

The caffeine content in the cocoa butter might cause an irregular heartbeat in a few people, like those who have heart conditions. So, cocoa butter should be used cautiously in people with heart conditions.

3) Diabetes

Cocoa butter might increase blood sugar levels and thus affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes.

4) Anxiety

The caffeine in cocoa might make anxiety disorders worse when consumed in very large amounts.

5) Diarrhoea

When taken in larger amounts, the caffeine in cocoa products can make diarrhoea worse.

6) Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Cocoa butter may make the symptoms of GERD worse if taken in large quantities.

7) High blood pressure

The caffeine in cocoa products might worsen the blood pressure of people with high blood pressure. On the contrary, for people who regularly consume caffeine, there might not be a big rise. 

8) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Cocoa products, when taken in large amounts, could worsen diarrhoea and IBS symptoms.

9) Glaucoma

The caffeine in cocoa products elevates eye pressure, so they must be used cautiously in people with glaucoma.

10) Seizures

The large doses of caffeine may cause seizures or lower the impact of drugs used in seizure prevention. So, if you are already affected by the seizures, then don’t use high doses of caffeine or caffeine-containing products like cocoa and chocolates.

11) Weak bones (osteoporosis)

The caffeine in cocoa may increase the amount of calcium that is released in the urine. So, people with osteoporosis must restrict their consumption of cocoa. Osteoporosis is a kind of bone disease that happens when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease. This disease could also happen when the structure and strength of bones change.

12) Rapid heartbeat

In general, dark chocolate can increase the heart rate. Though there is not enough proof to say that cocoa butter causes a rapid heartbeat, it might be true. 

Conclusion

Cocoa butter is better to consume in a moderate amount during pregnancy. However, cocoa butter, containing a mild chocolate taste and aroma, is used in the manufacture of chocolate (like white chocolate), pharmaceutical products, toiletries, etc. Cocoa butter has many advantages, but it also has disadvantages. Caffeine in cocoa products is not good for some people. So, some might consume them, but others have to avoid them or limit them.

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