> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://thechocolatelife.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Processed Cacao & Health: Maybe Less ISN’T More | #PSC 226 - URL: https://thechocolatelife.com/processed-cacao-health-maybe-less-isnt-more-psc-226/ - Published: 2026-08-17T17:31:40.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-17T18:22:40.000Z - Description: OVERVIEW: Episode 226 of #PodSaveChocolate, with guest contributor Keith Ayoob, takes a look at some new research that questions assertions that processing cacao is always a bad thing. - Author: Clay Gordon - Tags: PodSaveChocolate, Live Stream, Ask TCL 🗓️ This stream begins at 10:00 ****MST** (10:00 P****D**T, 11:00 M****D**T, 12:00 C****D**T, 1:00 pm E****D**T) on Tuesday, August 18th, 2026. Links below to watch LIVE and to view the archived episode. This ****YOUTUBE** link is shareable. 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[Participate/Watch on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/share/1EHa4LP1fi/) --- ## **Episode 226** A ChocolateLife member sent me a link to this article on Phys.org: [Processing, like fermentation and roasting, doesn’t cut cocoa’s health benefitsIt is widely believed that when foods undergo processing, their health benefits are reduced. But that is not true for cocoa, according to a Penn State-led team of researchers, who conducted a new study using a mouse model.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/favicon-24cc0744-f6be-4fa2-ac26-1ecac0f74f6b.svg)Phys.orgJeff Mulhollem![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/cocoa-powder-chocolate-182a85d0-6030-4522-ac6f-89784ab12456.jpg)](https://phys.org/news/2023-02-fermentation-roasting-doesnt-cocoa-health.html?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Phys.org is generally considered a *moderately reliable* science-and-technology news outlet, but it’s best treated as a secondary source not a primary one. So I went looking for the primary source. > However, [the primary source is a paper at ScienceDirect](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955286322001851?ref=thechocolatelife.com), which is behind the Elsevier paywall. So, I asked regular ChocolateLife [Contributor Keith Ayoob](https://thechocolatelife.com/author/keithayoob/) to see if he could gain access to the paper so we could discuss it in detail. He was, and we are. From what I inferred from the abstract: > The thesis is that rat models show the efficacy of processed cacao with respect to certain health outcomes – in effect, that processing ‘does not ruin’ cacao. What the article says is that the effects were visible on human scale with the consumption of \~75gr of cocoa powder daily (assuming un-alkalized). Some questions are: - fat content of level of fermentation, roasting, and heat applied in extracting the cocoa powder; - any discussion of the difference between what is consumed versus what is metabolized/excreted; - what (if any) confounding factors were considered; - how should we talk about the findings of this research with other chocolate makers, customers, and the general public? --- ### **Related Health News** *We May Get To, If There is Time* - **Consumer Reports is at it again: Arsenic in rice.** What’s not said about inorganic versus organic and why it matters. Separately, it there arsenic in chocolate and cocoa we should be worried about? --- ### **About My Guest** Keith Ayoob is Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City where he directed a nutrition clinic for 33 years for persons with special needs. He also works with many agriculture and food commodity groups. His website is [CutToTheChaseNutrition](https://cuttothechasenutrition.com/?ref=thechocolatelife.com), and you can also connect with Keith on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-ayoob-6162406/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) and [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/keith.ayoob). [Keith Ayoob - The Chocolate LifeKeith Ayoob, Assoc. Prof. Emeritus of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY City, who loves chocolate research. As a foodie, he searches out new artisan bars during his travels.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons-76b0caab-b9f9-4365-939f-c1c4448386dc.png)The Chocolate LifeContact![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/mike-tinnion-3ym6i13Y9LU-1920x1080-3a28aaf0-a838-4a87-a088-fa69241447d1.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/author/keithayoob/) --- ### Future Episodes 🗓️ **Friday, September 18th* ****Celebrating(?) the 25th anniversary of the signing (on Sept 19, 2001) of the Harkin-Engel Protocol** with confirmed special guests Terry Collingsworth and Miki Mistrati. --- ### **Episode Hashtags** #cocoa #cacao #cacau #chocolate #chocolat #PodSaveChoc #PSC #LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife --- ### **#PodSaveChocolate and #TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archives** **To read an archived post** and find the links to watch archived episodes, click on one of the bookmark cards below. [Pod Save Chocolate Calendar and ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. #PodSaveChocolate!![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/11/TagImageBanner-PodSaveChocTagFinal_1920x1080-5.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/pod-save-chocolate-calendar-and-archive/) Episodes 201-300 (links to older PSC archives are in the top nav). [#TheChocolateLifeLIVE ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/03/solen-feyissa-WG7v_wYZW4Q-unsplash-CalendarFeatured1920x1080.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/thechocolatelife-live-calendar/) ⁉️ After a year-long+ experiment, the audio-only versions of PodSaveChocolate episodes have been taken down after an end-of-year review. There were not enough listens to continue uploading episodes and paying for hosting. ## Not a Member? Live The Chocolate Life – Live La Vida Cocoa! Sign up for ****Free** to comment and receive members-only content. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Premium subscriptions available. ---