Does Cocoa Butter Have Vitamin D In It?

December 4, 2025 •

4 min read

While commonly associated with moisturizing properties, scientific research reveals a surprising nutritional fact: cocoa butter does contain vitamin D2. The presence of this nutrient, which occurs during the bean's drying process, is a discovery that overturns previous assumptions about the vitamin content of chocolate-based products.

Quick Summary

Cocoa butter naturally contains vitamin D2, derived from a fungal precursor, ergosterol, that converts to the vitamin during sun-drying of the cocoa beans. While the amount is variable, cocoa butter is a dietary source of vitamin D2, unlike the vitamin D3 produced by humans through sunlight exposure.

Key Points

Vitamin D2, Not D3: Cocoa butter contains vitamin D2, the form found in fungi, not the vitamin D3 our bodies produce from sunlight.
Fungi and Sunlight Are Key: The vitamin D2 is created during the fermentation and sun-drying process, as ergosterol from naturally-occurring fungi in the beans is converted by UV light.
Amount Varies: The vitamin D2 content in cocoa butter and cocoa products varies and depends heavily on the cocoa bean's processing and sun exposure.
Dark Chocolate Contains More: Products with higher cocoa butter content, like dark chocolate, generally have more vitamin D2 than those with less, such as white chocolate.
Not a Practical Source: While a notable fact, the concentration of vitamin D2 in cocoa products is not high enough to be a reliable source for meeting daily requirements.
Consult a Professional: For ensuring adequate vitamin D intake, relying on fortified foods, supplements, and sensible sun exposure is more effective than consuming large amounts of cocoa products.

Uncovering the Surprising Source of Vitamin D2

It has long been understood that vitamin D is primarily obtained through sun exposure (vitamin D3) or from a small number of foods, particularly fatty fish (vitamin D3) and fortified products. For a long time, food composition databases listed a vitamin D content of zero for cocoa butter. However, a 2018 study published in the journal Food Chemistry found otherwise, identifying cocoa and cocoa-based foods as previously unknown sources of vitamin D2. The research revealed that cocoa butter, along with dark chocolate, contains the highest amounts of this fungal-derived vitamin within cocoa products.

The Unique Production Process of Vitamin D2 in Cocoa Butter

The presence of vitamin D2 in cocoa butter is not inherent to the cacao bean itself but is a byproduct of its processing. The fascinating process begins during the fermentation stage, where fungi naturally contaminate the cocoa beans. These fungi produce a compound called ergosterol, which acts as a precursor to vitamin D2.

Following fermentation, the cocoa beans are traditionally sun-dried, often spread out on mats for one to two weeks. It is during this crucial step that the ergosterol in the cocoa beans is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light, causing it to convert into vitamin D2. This newly formed vitamin D2 then accumulates in the lipids of the cocoa bean, which is later extracted as cocoa butter. The content can vary depending on factors like the duration and intensity of sun exposure during drying.

Natural vs. Fortified vs. Cocoa Butter Vitamin D

To understand the full picture, it's helpful to compare the different ways we obtain vitamin D.

List of vitamin D sources:

Sunlight: Exposure to UVB rays allows the skin to produce vitamin D3, the primary natural source for humans.
Dietary Sources: Few foods naturally contain significant vitamin D. These include fatty fish (salmon, sardines) and egg yolks (mostly D3). Mushrooms contain D2, especially when grown under UV light.
Fortified Foods: Many foods, such as milk, orange juice, and cereals, are artificially fortified with vitamin D (either D2 or D3) to increase population intake.
Supplements: Available in both D2 and D3 forms, supplements are a reliable way to meet daily requirements, especially for those with limited sun exposure.

Cocoa Butter Vitamin D vs. Common Sources


Feature	Cocoa Butter Vitamin D (D2)	Common Dietary Sources (e.g., Salmon)	Fortified Milk (D3)
Source	Produced from fungal ergosterol and sun exposure during bean processing.	Naturally occurring in the flesh and oils of fatty fish.	Added artificially during food manufacturing.
Amount	Variable; depends on processing conditions. Higher in products with more cocoa butter.	Concentrated and relatively consistent, although varies by species.	Standardized and consistent; specified on the nutrition label.
Type of Vitamin	Exclusively Vitamin D2.	Primarily Vitamin D3.	Can be D2 or D3; often D3 in dairy.
Effectiveness	Bioavailable and effective at raising serum vitamin D levels, though possibly less potent than D3.	Highly bioavailable and effective for raising serum levels.	Highly effective, with D3 generally considered more potent than D2.
Dietary Impact	Not a major source; large quantities of high-fat, high-sugar chocolate would be needed for a significant intake.	Can provide a significant portion of daily needs with a typical serving.	Reliable daily source, especially for those unable to get enough sunlight.

The Practical Implications for Your Diet

While the discovery that cocoa butter contains vitamin D2 is scientifically interesting, it does not mean you should rely on chocolate products to meet your daily vitamin D requirements. As noted by the researchers, the concentration is too low, especially in products with less cocoa butter like white chocolate, to be a primary source. In fact, consuming the excessive amounts needed for a substantial intake would be unhealthy due to the high fat and sugar content of most chocolate.

Therefore, a balanced diet is still crucial. Focus on traditional and fortified sources to ensure adequate vitamin D intake, especially during winter months when sun exposure is limited. It is also important to remember that cocoa butter has other nutritional components, such as beneficial fatty acids and minerals, but its vitamin D content should be considered a serendipitous detail rather than a dependable nutrient source.

Conclusion: A Nutty Discovery, Not a Daily Dose

The answer to the question, "Does cocoa butter have vitamin D in it?" is a definitive yes, but with a significant caveat. It contains naturally occurring vitamin D2, produced by a fascinating interaction between fungal precursors and sunlight during the cocoa bean's processing. However, the variable and often small quantity means it is not a practical or healthy way to address dietary vitamin D needs. For reliable intake, relying on classic dietary sources, fortified foods, or supplements remains the most effective strategy.

Cocoa and chocolate are sources of vitamin D2 - ScienceDirect

Frequently Asked Questions

Cocoa butter contains vitamin D2, also known as ergocalciferol, which is the form of the vitamin found in plants and fungi.

It is produced during the sun-drying phase of cocoa bean processing, when ergosterol from fungi that colonize the beans is converted into vitamin D2 by the sun's UV rays.

No, while chocolate and cocoa butter contain some vitamin D2, the amount is too variable and low to be considered a reliable source for meeting your daily vitamin D needs. You would have to consume an unhealthy quantity to make a difference.

Yes, other dietary sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, eggs, and fortified foods like milk and cereals. Many people also take vitamin D supplements.

Both vitamin D2 and D3 are used by the body, but some research suggests D3 is more effective at raising and sustaining blood levels. The D2 in cocoa butter is bioavailable, but its limited quantity makes its overall impact small.

Chocolate products containing cocoa butter will have some vitamin D2. Dark chocolate typically has more than milk or white chocolate because of its higher cocoa butter content.

No, cocoa butter's primary nutritional value comes from its fatty acids. While it contains traces of vitamin D, E, and K, it is not considered a significant source of vitamins.