Cocoa Powder vs. Spirulina

Nutrition comparison of Cocoa Powder and Spirulina


Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of cocoa powder versus spirulina (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in cocoa powder and spirulina:

  • Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in calcium, calories, dietary fiber, iron, potassium and protein.
  • Cocoa powder has more lutein + zeaxanthin than spirulina, however, spirulina contains more beta-carotene than cocoa powder.
  • Spirulina has more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6 and folate.
  • Spirulina has signficantly more Vitamin C than cocoa powder.
  • Spirulina has signficantly more Vitamin E than cocoa powder.
Detailed nutritional comparison of cocoa powder and spirulina is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Cocoa Powder (Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened) and Spirulina (Seaweed, spirulina, dried) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Image of Cocoa Powder src
Image of Spirulina src

Calories and Carbs

calories

Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in calories. Spirulina has 27% more calories than cocoa powder - cocoa powder has 228 calories per 100 grams and spirulina has 290 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, cocoa powder is much lighter in protein, much heavier in carbs and heavier in fat compared to spirulina per calorie. Cocoa powder has a macronutrient ratio of 18:54:29 and for spirulina, 58:24:18 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Cocoa Powder Spirulina
Protein 18% 58%
Carbohydrates 54% 24%
Fat 29% 18%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Cocoa powder is high in carbohydrates and spirulina has 59% less carbohydrates than cocoa powder - cocoa powder has 57.9g of total carbs per 100 grams and spirulina has 23.9g of carbohydrates.

dietary fiber

Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in dietary fiber. Cocoa powder has 928% more dietary fiber than spirulina - cocoa powder has 37g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and spirulina has 3.6g of dietary fiber.

sugar

Cocoa powder and spirulina contain similar amounts of sugar - cocoa powder has 1.8g of sugar per 100 grams and spirulina has 3.1g of sugar.

Protein

protein

Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in protein. Spirulina has 193% more protein than cocoa powder - cocoa powder has 19.6g of protein per 100 grams and spirulina has 57.5g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Cocoa powder is high in saturated fat and spirulina has 67% less saturated fat than cocoa powder - cocoa powder has 8.1g of saturated fat per 100 grams and spirulina has 2.7g of saturated fat.

Vitamins

Vitamin C

Spirulina has signficantly more Vitamin C than cocoa powder - spirulina has 10.1mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and cocoa powder does not contain significant amounts.

Vitamin A

Spirulina has more Vitamin A than cocoa powder - spirulina has 29ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and cocoa powder does not contain significant amounts.

Vitamin E

Spirulina has signficantly more Vitamin E than cocoa powder - cocoa powder has 0.1mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and spirulina has 5mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Spirulina has 920% more Vitamin K than cocoa powder - cocoa powder has 2.5ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and spirulina has 25.5ug of Vitamin K.

The B Vitamins

Spirulina has more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6 and folate.

Cocoa Powder Spirulina
Thiamin 0.078 MG 2.38 MG
Riboflavin 0.241 MG 3.67 MG
Niacin 2.185 MG 12.82 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.254 MG 3.48 MG
Vitamin B6 0.118 MG 0.364 MG
Folate 32 UG 94 UG

Minerals

calcium

Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in calcium. Cocoa powder has a little more calcium (7%) than spirulina by weight - cocoa powder has 128mg of calcium per 100 grams and spirulina has 120mg of calcium.

iron

Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in iron. Spirulina has 106% more iron than cocoa powder - cocoa powder has 13.9mg of iron per 100 grams and spirulina has 28.5mg of iron.

potassium

Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in potassium. Cocoa powder has 53% more potassium than - cocoa powder has 1524mg of potassium per 100 grams and spirulina has 1363mg of potassium.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

carotenoids

Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]

For specific types of carotenoids, cocoa powder has more lutein + zeaxanthin than spirulina per 100 grams, however, spirulina contains more beta-carotene than cocoa powder per 100 grams.

Cocoa Powder Spirulina
lutein + zeaxanthin 38 UG ~
beta-carotene ~ 342 UG

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, spirulina has more linoleic acid than cocoa powder per 100 grams.

Cocoa Powder Spirulina
linoleic acid 0.44 G 1.254 G
Total 0.44 G 1.254 G



Customize your serving size


The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).

You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Cocoa Powder or Spirulina .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Cocoa Powder (Cocoa, dry powder, unsweetened) and Spirulina (Seaweed, spirulina, dried) .

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FAQ

Does cocoa powder or spirulina contain more calories in 100 grams?
Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in calories. Spirulina has 30% more calories than cocoa powder - cocoa powder has 228 calories in 100g and spirulina has 290 calories.

Is cocoa powder or spirulina better for protein?
Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in protein. Spirulina has 190% more protein than cocoa powder - cocoa powder has 19.6g of protein per 100 grams and spirulina has 57.5g of protein.

Does cocoa powder or spirulina have more carbohydrates?
By weight, cocoa powder is high in carbohydrates and spirulina has 60% fewer carbohydrates than cocoa powder - cocoa powder has 57.9g of carbs for 100g and spirulina has 23.9g of carbohydrates.

Does cocoa powder or spirulina contain more calcium?
Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in calcium. Cocoa powder has a little more calcium ( 10%) than spirulina by weight - cocoa powder has 128mg of calcium in 100 grams and spirulina has 120mg of calcium.

Does cocoa powder or spirulina contain more iron?
Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in iron. Spirulina has 110% more iron than cocoa powder - cocoa powder has 13.9mg of iron in 100 grams and spirulina has 28.5mg of iron.

Does cocoa powder or spirulina contain more potassium?
Both cocoa powder and spirulina are high in potassium. Cocoa powder has 50% more potassium than - cocoa powder has 1524mg of potassium in 100 grams and spirulina has 1363mg of potassium.