Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress? - PaleoHacks.com

Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress?

2012-03-15T19:16:42Z

I've tried some hershey's all natural cocoa powder in hot water (plain, or add grass fed butter), and each time, it's given me some nasty watery bowel movements.

Is this due to a magnesium effect or dosage effect, and if it is, does utilizing cocoa powder in other ways mitigate this effect?

I do love some chocolate/hot chocolate every once in a while, sans gross bowels.

UPDATE:

Great answers. Lots of answers. I stopped using cocoa powder for a while now, and no digestive distress has occurred. However, life has gotten slightly boring...I may start again. Re-updates to come.

Answer by Mike T for Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress?

2012-05-13T14:51:47Z

I've mixed cocoa powder with heated heavy whipping cream a few times and never noticed a problem. I don't really love the taste though.

Do you eat any other chocolate? Does that give you problems? I know people with IBS are advised to avoid chocolate because it may aggravate the digestive tract.

Also, people with gluten intolerance are told to avoid coffee. I know cocoa and coffee beans are not too related, but maybe it's relevant somehow:

http://paleohacks.com/questions/116223/avoid-coffee-if-gluten-intolerant

Answer by Rob for Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress?

2012-05-26T03:57:13Z

I did the first few times I added it to whey shakes. Then I cut back to 1/4 teaspoon per shake and slowly raised it to 1 teaspoon per shake. It doesn't bother me anymore.

Answer by Happy Now for Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress?

2012-06-19T19:52:12Z

I'm thinking it is dosage related, there's a lot of caffeine in there. Think about your average packet of hot cocoa mix. It is about a tablespoon of mixture, mostly sugar and powdered milk with some cocoa powder put in there. I'm guessing you put a big spoonful of cocoa powder in, which would be like drinking many hot chocolates at once.

Answer by Celine for Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress?

2012-08-15T11:53:45Z

Yes. But so, apparently, does cocoa mixed with anything.

Answer by David Moss for Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress?

2012-08-15T11:58:26Z

Yes, I get this from all forms of cocoa. I am pretty certain that it's from the tannins in the cocoa. It could be partly due to the caffeine and theobromine, except I don't get this effect from caffeine, even in significantly larger doses.

Answer by Trin for Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress?

2012-09-06T05:56:35Z

Maybe you could try using raw cocoa powder and make sure to be eating it with other filling, fibrous foods. Chocolate is a muscle relaxant and mild laxative and can cause an effect much like cherry juice or prunes. If you are sensitive try using an alternative like carob or raw cocoa. Try making your hot chocolate more traditionally with raw cocoa and a natural sweetner and a vegan milk alternative that might do the trick.

Answer by norwegian girl for Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress?

2012-09-06T07:38:23Z

Yes, I drank hot water with cocoa powder and stevia every day before. Had to quit because of the digestive distress I got from it.

Answer by Michelle for Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress?

2012-10-05T05:58:40Z

Hmmm. I don't get that with chocolate, but I do get that a lot with coffee. It has the same effect that taking a dose of apple cider vinegar would give me. I wonder if there's a connection...

Answer by eastern_canadian20 for Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress?

2012-10-24T03:40:48Z

Interesting, my father would get this problem every Christmas, it was the only time he ate a lot of chocolates(except for maybe Halloween leftovers).

I use home made hot chocolate(cocoa, milk, honey) as a digestive aid, a bowel muscle relaxant-or stimulant, I am not sure.....

I also put a half tablespoon of Maxwell House extra dark instant coffee in instant hot chocolate, occasionally, OR, make a low fat cappucino with powdered milk, sweetener & coffee, with a tablespoon of cocoa, for the same reason, it seems to stimulate bowel movements, which I need. But I don't do this every day, just 1-3 times per week.

My mother finds that she cannot sleep if she has coffee after 12pm(lunch), but as I prefer cappuccino, I find it puts me to sleep, I am sure it is the warm milk. It seems to help me relax. Only I make home made now, Tim Horton's & Starbucks cappuccinos are loaded with sugar, and surprisingly, salt!

Answer by Hemming for Does Cocoa Powder + Hot Water give you digestive distress?

2012-10-24T06:59:37Z

I've never had that problem using raw cocoa powder and water. Have you tried raw cocoa powder and then using a smaller amount? I'm thinking that it could be some of the same issues as some people have with coffee causing digestive issues. At least I get that if the coffee is too strong.