Highlights:

  • Longevity guru Bryan Johnson reveals that he incorporates pure cocoa powder into his daily diet. 
  • The health benefits of pure cocoa include neuroprotection, improved heart health, and decreased oxidative stress.  

Whether in a candy bar, cake, or hot cocoa, chocolate remains a decadent treat that can provide comfort and lift our moods with each delightful bite. Beyond its role as a delicious indulgence, chocolate, particularly its raw form, cocoa, provides potent flavonols with powerful antioxidant properties that may support healthy aging.   

In one of his latest YouTube videos, tech entrepreneur and biohacker Bryan Johnson emphasized that his Blueprint program, a longevity protocol he invested millions in, features pure cocoa. Although Johnson consumes and sells what he says is the world’s best-sourced cocoa, extremely high in flavonols, he stresses the importance of testing it. He points out that pure cocoa can naturally have high levels of heavy metals that, in excess, are harmful to the body. 

“When you go to the store, you have no idea what you’re buying. It could be really dirty…We sourced the world’s best cocoa. We test it before we buy it. We test it when it’s in our warehouse, and then we share the results with you. This is how the world should function.” 

To maximize nutritional benefits, Johnson opts for 100% pure cocoa powder, which allows him to avoid the unhealthy additives often found in solid-form cocoa. What’s more, cocoa in powder form has the highest concentration of flavonols.

What We Know About Flavonols

Flavonols, which belong to a class of molecules called polyphenols, are one of the most well-studied and documented compounds in the field of aging. On top of quenching oxidative stress, a hallmark of aging, flavonols have been shown to extend mouse lifespan, enhance cognitive function, and support vascular health. 

More importantly, studies have demonstrated that certain flavonols like fisetin and quercetin are formidable senoytics, compounds that effectively target and eliminate senescent cells – age-promoting cells that accumulate with aging and trigger chronic inflammation, another hallmark of aging. So by adding cocoa powder rich in flavonols to his diet, Johnson hopes to mitigate the risk of several age-related diseases linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular senescence. 

Johnson’s Favorite Ways to Implement Cocoa Powder

While cocoa powder alone may be bitter and not too tantalizing, Johnson says that he uses it to elevate the taste of coffee, milk, and even his Blueprint meals, particularly his signature nutty pudding. He recommends stirring one serving of cocoa powder into the pudding and says that you can add some fresh berries for additional flavor. “It’s delicious,” claims Johnson. 

His other favorite pairing with cocoa powder is Blueprint’s nutty butter, which is comprised of macadamia nuts, walnuts, and sea salt. He says that it’s like eating a healthy Nutella.

“The biggest problem is that one bite is never enough and neither is two and neither is three. So just be careful. Once you start with this, it’s going to be hard to stop, but that is amazing and a good option,” says Johnson. 

On the left, Bryan Johnson is pouring cocoa powder into a cup of coffee. On the right, he is drinking the cocoa-infused coffee.
Bryan Johnson drinking cocoa powder-infused coffee.

The Importance of Transparency and Quality 

Brian Johnson emphasizes that regardless of where consumers choose to purchase their cocoa powder, what’s important is that it comes from a reliable source and undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and safety. Johnson concludes the video by stating, “In a world of sh***y food providers, I’m here for you.” This statement affirms his commitment to enhancing dietary standards globally and advocating for transparency and quality in the field of health and longevity.