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

Does Eating Chocolate Help With Your Gout?

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 century; the rest is history as we say. Cocoa comes from the Theobroma cacao tree which is native to Central and South America, grows the fruit and inside the fruit; there are about 20 to 50 beans.

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 cardiovascular health, 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 study, they found that consuming moderate amounts of chocolate increased the concentration of theobromine in the urine which helped prevent uric acid crystallization.

It should be noted that what we are talking about here is not milk chocolate that we are so accustomed to, which is basically candy but raw cocoa and to a lesser extent, dark chocolate, since flavonoids degrade during cooking and alkalizing processes. Adding milk reduces the overall cocoa content and increases saturated fat levels, missing out on the potential health benefits. What the researchers found was that the Kuna Indians who lived on the islands had decidedly lower rates of heart disease and cancer compared to the Panamanians who lived on the mainland who do not drink cocoa as the Kuna Indians!

Other studies have proven also that consuming cocoa may reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Finally, a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006 followed elderly men for 15 years as they consumed cocoa compared to other men who didn’t and found that the group of men that consumed cocoa had a 50% less risk of cardiovascular mortality and a 47% reduction in all-cause mortality. So the health benefits of cocoa are unanimous!

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 leukotrienes providing relief from a gout attack working the same way NSAIDs 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

Cocoa has shown to have positive effects on your immune system. Again, this is because of the flavonoids in cocoa which helps reduce inflammation. In turn, your immune system is able to respond better to threats.

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. Several animal studies 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.

What kind of chocolate can I eat?

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 which you can find in your local health food store or on Amazon.com. 

You can also buy baking chocolate if you plan to make chocolate treats yourself. Avoid chocolate syrup as this has the least concentration of cocoa in it. You can also eat some dark chocolate from time to time in very minimal amounts, I prefer 99% pure dark chocolate but watch out since excessive consumption of any kind of chocolate, dark or milk chocolate will cause weight gain which will lead to obesity and will worsen your gout. Milk will also interfere with the absorption of polyphenols in your body. Please consult your doctor before adding raw cocoa in your diet.

What About White Chocolate?

White chocolate should be completely avoided for gout because it does not contain any cocoa at all. It’s only made of milk solids, cocoa butter, and sugar. The last ingredient alone will be a cause for your uric acid levels to go high. It might even have a higher sugar content than regular milk chocolate.

Cocoa Risks

Cocoa really is a great ingredient but like anything, it should be consumed in moderation especially if you have high risk for kidney stones. This is because cocoa powder has a high oxalate content which can increase the risk for developing oxalate kidney stones. If you have experienced kidney stones in the past, it’s better to avoid cocoa altogether.

If you suffer from metabolic syndrome, you may also be better off avoiding chocolate and taking theobromine supplements instead. Again, this is because of the high oxalate content that chocolate has.

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.

Ways to Include More Cocoa Into Your Diet

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.

What has your experience been like consuming chocolate or cocoa for gout? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

DISCLAIMER

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