Pros:

Donates 10% of net profits with a mission to change the world for the better
A leader in supplying ethical chocolate
Chocolate is CERTIFIED GLUTEN-FREE by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization
Cocoa is from small family owned co-ops in West Africa and grown with little use of pesticides
Palm oil is not used in manufacturing of chocolate
FairTrade certified cocoa beans are from Cote D'Ivoire (the Ivory Coast), West Africa.
One of the lowest amounts of heavy metals of all chocolate bars
Deeply powerful taste with lingering hints of fruit and spice
Certified vegan & non-GMO
Silky smooth rich chocolate flavor

Ingredients Concern: 3g of added sugar per serving;32mg of caffeine and 321mg of theobromine (per 1/3 of bar), and soy.

Cons: Added sugar

Endangered Species commits to crafting premium world class chocolate with the highest quality ingredients and exceptional taste. To make this happen, they pay premiums to Fairtrade farms in West Africa. The chocolate is made in the USA. 10% of the net profits from their chocolate sales goes to GiveBack Partners to support wildlife.

Strength, Results and Safety

The flavanols in dark chocolate may benefit heart disease, memory (in those with mild cognition issues only), and mood and stress. It has very mild positive affects on lessening wrinkles. Those that eat chocolate with high levels of flavanols tend to have lower risk of heart disease. Cocoa flavanols may lower cholesterol in some and help with vascular function. Note that this chocolate bar sources cocoa beans from West Africa and is made in the USA. Though it has a much higher content of flavanols than most chocolate bars sold in the USA - there are European bars that have more flavanols. ln 2012, the European Food Safety Authority said that cocoa flavanols help contribute to normal blood flow. The suggested amount of flavanols needed to potentially produce these results are below. Note that Endangered Species chocolate bar has about 157 mg per 1/3 bar. Cardiovascular health: About 200 to 900 mg per day; Blood sugar improvement: About 200 mg to 600 mg per day; Memory function: About 500 to 900 mg per day; Skin elasticity/wrinkles: 320 mg per day

What It's For

Chocolate with high levels of flavanols can help modestly with heart disease [1], cholesterol levels [2], exercise, memory/cognition [5], skin wrinkles [4], and blood sugar control[5].

How it Works

Endangered Species sources clean, natural ingredients which are selected for their quality and sustainability. A dedicated team focuses on finding the ideal ingredients for maximum taste. Endangered Species cares about the farmers who grow the cocoa that is sourced for their chocolates, and therefore supports communities that practice sustainable farming. This involves paying a premium so that you can be sure that their chocolate, which is made in the USA, uses fair trade cocoa that can be traced back to Fairtrade farms in West Africa.

Ingredients

Key Ingredients: None discovered

All Ingredients: Bittersweet Chocolate (Chocolate Liquor, Cane Sugar, Soy Lecithin, Vanilla).

How to Use

Keep your chocolate tightly wrapped and store in a cool, dry place at 60-75 degrees.

FAQ

Warnings

Contains soy. Produced on equipment that also processes product containing milk, peanuts and tree nuts. These statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

References

[1] Hooper L, Kay C, Abdelhamid A, Kroon PA, Cohn JS, Rimm EB, Cassidy A. Effects of chocolate, cocoa, and flavanols on cardiovascular health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:740‚Äì51.
[2] Tokede OA, Gaziano JM, Djousse L. Effects of cocoa products/dark chocolate on serum lipids: a meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Nutr 2011;65:879‚Äì86.
[3] Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to cocoa flavanols and maintenance of normal endothelium‚Äêdependent vasodilation pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) First published: 17 July 2012 https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2809
[4] Hyun-Sun Yoon, Jong Rhan Kim, Gyeong Yul Park, Jong-Eun Kim, Dong Hun Lee, Ki Won Lee, Jin Ho Chung, Cocoa Flavanol Supplementation Influences Skin Conditions of Photo-Aged Women: A 24-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 146, Issue 1, January 2016, Pages 46‚Äì50, https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.115.217711[5] Desideri G, Kwik-Uribe C, Grassi D, Necozione S, Ghiadoni L, Mastroiacovo D, Raffaele A, Ferri L, Bocale R, Lechiara MC, et al. Benefits in cognitive function, blood pressure, and insulin resistance through cocoa flavanol consumption in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment: the Cocoa, Cognition, and Aging (CoCoA) Study. Hypertension 2012;60:794‚Äì801.

Endangered Species Strong + Velvety Dark Chocolate 88% Cocoa