Written by Spiro Koulouris | Medically Reviewed by Dr. Muhammad Qousain Ali, Consultant Rheumatologist on May 30, 2026

¿Comer chocolate ayuda con la gota?

Around 1500 AD, a Spanish soldier who was part of the conquest of Mexico and who had observed the emperor of the Aztecs, Moctezuma II, stated that he took no other beverage than chocolate, served in a golden goblet and flavoured with spices like vanilla; his chocolate beverage was whipped into a froth that dissolved into the mouth. Sounds yummy doesn’t it? That was the first introduction of cocoa to the Europeans and became a very popular beverage by the mid-17^th Siglo; el resto es historia, como decimos. El cacao proviene del árbol Theobroma cacao, que es originario de América Central y del Sur, y crece el fruto y dentro del fruto hay alrededor de 20 a 50 granos.

Cocoa is very rich in polyphenols like isoflavones, anthocyanins, flavanones, catechins, flavonols, flavanols and flavones. From all the foods known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease like tea, apples, red wine, onions; cocoa comes out on top with the highest antioxidants with polyphenol content providing you and I with the greatest cardio protection. The reason for this is that cocoa may thin out the blood to help avoid blood clots and may have the same benefits in aiding you to avoid blood clotting as aspirin but the effects are milder than aspirin!

Cocoa from chocolate is also rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and E. You’ll know you’re consuming real chocolate if you feel energized after, not sluggish. 

The Science Behind the Cocoa Bean

A 2007 Harvard Medical School study followed Panama’s Kuna people, whose diet consists mainly of cocoa, to study the effects of cocoa and flavanols. In general, cocoa and chocolate is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids which benefits your salud cardiovascular., including  it may help limit the risk of stroke and may impart anti aging properties by reducing the oxidative stress, protecting our cells from premature destruction.

The theobromine that’s abundant in cocoa may help to reduce the risk of uric acid crystallization in the urine. In one estudioEn un estudio, se encontró que consumir cantidades moderadas de chocolate aumentó la concentración de teobromina en la orina, lo que ayudó a prevenir la cristalización del ácido úrico.

Es importante destacar que lo que estamos discutiendo aquí no se refiere al chocolate con leche al que estamos tan acostumbrados, que básicamente es un caramelo, sino al cacao crudo y, en menor medida, al chocolate negro, ya que los flavonoides se degradan durante los procesos de cocción y alcalinización. Agregar leche reduce el contenido total de cacao y aumenta los niveles de grasas saturadas, lo que impide aprovechar los posibles beneficios para la salud. Lo que encontraron los investigadores fue que los indígenas Kuna que vivían en las islas tenían tasas notablemente más bajas de enfermedades cardíacas y cáncer en comparación con los panameños que vivían en tierra firme y no consumían cacao como los indígenas Kuna.

Otras investigaciones también han demostrado que consumir cacao puede reducir la presión arterial y los niveles de colesterol. Finalmente, un estudio publicado en Archives of Internal Medicine en 2006 siguió a hombres de edad avanzada durante 15 años mientras consumían cacao en comparación con otros hombres que no lo hacían, y encontró que el grupo de hombres que consumía cacao tenía un 50% menos de riesgo de mortalidad cardiovascular y una reducción del 47% en la mortalidad por todas las causas. ¡Por lo tanto, los beneficios para la salud del cacao son unánimes!

So how does cocoa benefit gout?

Very simply, cocoa contains flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that fight the symptoms of gout lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels and as these antioxidants improve blood circulation, they in turn may help decrease the amount of uric acid crystallization that causes harm to your joints and gives your gout symptoms.

Raw cocoa may prevent inflammation due to its interaction with leucotrienos brindando alivio durante un ataque de gota funcionando de la misma manera. AINEs do, whereby the flavonoids and polyphenols work together and act as COX2 inhibitors decreasing pain in your joints. Cocoa’s antioxidant properties help keep your body functioning at its optimal best by supporting your metabolic and vascular health and that also includes the proper functioning of your kidneys which is so important for the gout sufferer in preventing future gout attacks. Let’s not forget that cocoa is also mood lifter which will provide you with a more positive and cheerful outlook on life!

Other Health Benefits of Cocoa

1. Cocoa can improve immune health

El cacao ha demostrado tener efectos positivos en el sistema inmunológico. Una vez más, esto se debe a los flavonoides presentes en el cacao, que ayudan a reducir la inflamación. A su vez, esto permite que tu sistema inmunológico responda mejor ante las amenazas.

2. Cocoa can help with allergies

Got allergy problems? Cocoa might just help as it can improve the function of gut-associated lymphoid tissue. As a result, your body is protected against the effects of food allergies. In one study, they found that rats with a cocoa-rich diet were able to manage serious allergic reactions better. 

3. Cocoa can help regulate blood sugar

When you have gout, you probably also have a blood sugar problem. Cocoa can help remedy that as it contains antioxidants that help stabilize blood sugar. It can also improve your body’s sensitivity to insulin and your metabolic health.

4. Cocoa can help reduce cancer risk

Because cocoa is so rich in antioxidants, it may help prevent the spread of cancer cells in the body. The particular antioxidants that help with this are called epicatechins and catechins. Varias animal estudios show that eating a diet rich in cocoa was able to help stop the spread of colon cancer cells in rodents. It can also protect against prostate and lung cancer. In human studies, cocoa has been found to reduce the risk for certain cancers such as lung cancer and ovarian cancer.

¿Qué tipo de chocolate puedo comer?

Most chocolate is just bad for you which contains unhealthy fats, loads of sugar, artificial flavorings, lots of preservatives, has barely any real cocoa in it and has been heated to high temperatures killing most flavonoids! If you eat this type of “candy” chocolate, it may contribute to weight gain and metabolic problems, which increase gout risk over time, and should be not part of your diet whatsoever. What I’m talking about is raw cocoa chocolate products or raw certified organic cocoa powder and raw cocoa beans los cuales puedes encontrar en tu tienda local de alimentos saludables o en línea. Amazon.com. 

También puedes comprar chocolate para hornear si planeas hacer tus propios postres de chocolate. Evita el jarabe de chocolate, ya que tiene la menor concentración de cacao. Puede también Come un poco de chocolate oscuro de vez en cuando en cantidades muy pequeñas. Prefiero el chocolate oscuro puro al 99%, pero ten cuidado, ya que el consumo excesivo de cualquier tipo de chocolate, ya sea oscuro o con leche, causará aumento de peso, lo que puede llevar a la obesidad y empeorar la gota. La leche también interfiere con la absorción de los polifenoles en tu cuerpo. Please consult your doctor before adding raw cocoa in your diet.

¿Qué pasa con el chocolate blanco?

El chocolate blanco debe evitarse por completo para la gota, ya que no contiene nada de cacao. Está hecho únicamente de sólidos de leche, manteca de cacao y azúcar. El último ingrediente por sí solo puede elevar los niveles de ácido úrico. Incluso podría tener un contenido de azúcar más alto que el chocolate con leche regular.

Riesgos del cacao

El cacao es realmente un gran ingrediente, pero al igual que cualquier cosa, debe consumirse con moderación, especialmente si tienes un alto riesgo de desarrollar cálculos renales. Esto se debe a que el polvo de cacao tiene un alto contenido de oxalato, lo cual puede aumentar el riesgo de desarrollar cálculos renales de oxalato. Si has experimentado cálculos renales en el pasado, es mejor evitar el cacao por completo.

Si sufres del síndrome metabólico, es posible que sea mejor evitar el chocolate y tomar suplementos de teobromina en su lugar. Nuevamente, esto se debe al alto contenido de oxalato que tiene el chocolate.

Because cocoa beans contain stimulants, it is best to avoid giving it to pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as kids. For pregnant women in particular, it is not advisable to consume cocoa beans in the late stage of pregnancy since it can constrict the blood vessel that connects to the fetus, if consumed in large quantities.

Formas de incluir más cacao en su dieta

The best chocolate to consume is one that has zero total sugar. These are cocoa nibs and unsweetened cocoa powder. When you purchase these, make sure to read the label since some cocoa products have added sugar in them.

The good news is that one of the items above, cocoa nibs, are very versatile and they can easily be added to most foods you are eating already. For instance, cocoa nibs can be added to your regular smoothie. If you make your own nut butters, nut milks, and granola bars, cocoa nibs can be added to them as well. Having oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast? Sprinkle in some cocoa nibs. If you’re a coffee lover, adding cocoa nibs to your lattes and cappuccinos will make it taste even better.

Cocoa nibs can also be added to savory meals. When making a sauce for barbecue, you can include cocoa nibs. When adding crust to your steak or duck, you can also use cocoa nibs. This will definitely give it a one-of-a-kind flavor.

You won’t have a hard time adding more cocoa into your diet. Just be aware though that real cocoa or chocolate tastes very bitter. It can be surprising to find out the first time but the more frequent you include it in your meals, the more you’ll get used to the taste.

¿Cómo ha sido tu experiencia consumiendo chocolate o cacao para la gota? Comparta sus pensamientos en los comentarios a continuación.

AVISO LEGAL

This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Patients should consult their physician for individual management.