Researchers use cocoa to tackle obesity in mice Dietary supplementation with cocoa can improve obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, according to a new study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. Cocoa powder, derived from Theobroma cacao, is a popular food ingredient that is commonly consumed in chocolate. The ingredient is rich in fiber, iron and phytochemicals which provide positive health benefits such as antioxidant polyphenols and methylxanthines. Epidemiological and human intervention studies have reported that chocolate is associated with reduced risk of cardiometabolic diseases and lab studies suggest dietary supplementation with cocoa or cocoa polyphenols can improve obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).