Most people in this universe like chocolate and have a hard time not taking a bite when it is placed in front of them. Since it is associated with high fat and carbohydrates the guilt that follows after eating chocolate has become an expected reaction. In fact it is the guilt that prevents one from eating it the future.
But, after learning about the results of a study from Harvard Medical School, your mindset may change.
The study discovered that people who drank two cups of hot cocoa a day had improved memory and blood flow to the brain. Another study at University of L’Aquila, central Italy, mirrored these results suggesting cocoa may eventually be a dietary supplement that promotes cognition!
Neuroscientists, Professors Ferrara and Socci, who were researchers for the Italian study said, “If you look at the underlying mechanism, the cocoa flavonol have beneficial effects for cardiovascular health and can increase cerebral blood volume in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus.”
They continued, “This structure is particularly affected by ageing and therefore the potential source of age related memory decline in humans.”
They found that many cognitive factors such as focus, memory, articulation and processing acceleration were influenced.
What is interesting is that not all types of cocoa had the same level effect. As the strongest effect was found by Dark Chocolate, while white and milk chocolate barely showed a difference.
It also had the greatest effect on elderly people who had some level of cognitive degeneration previously.
The main reason given for these findings is flavonol found in Dark chocolate which act as an antioxidant. Dr. Small, director of the University of California-Los Angeles Longevity Center explains, “As the brain ages, it undergoes wear and tear in what’s called oxidative stress, and these antioxidants in our foods actually protect the brain from that kind of aging wear and tear.”
Chocolate isn’t the only substance loaded with flavonol, other fruits and vegetables: apples, red grapes, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, beans, kale, and onions are also rich in flavonol. Although no studies have yet to been published linking these fruits and vegetables to brain function.
Dr. Small continues, “So there are many ways to get antioxidants in your diet and it’s a great idea to get more and more servings of fruits and vegetables and most Americans don’t get enough.”
So, what is the bottom line, can I start consuming Dark Chocolate without guilt?
According to Dr. Small, “It’s okay to have them a little bit, but when we overdo it it’s certainly not good for our brains and it’s not good for our bodies”.