Daily Chocolate May Rescue the Brain From Cognitive Decline
"A recent study examined the current experimental evidence for the neuroprotective actions of the bioactive molecules contained in cocoa in the elderly. Cross-sectional studies involving over two hundred thousand subjects involved in nineteen different clinical trials examined cognitive functions using a battery of neuropsychological tests of global cognition, visual-spatial memory, semantic or episodic memory, and working memory.
The subjects ranged from 23 to 98 years; their average intake of chocolate was eight to 10 grams per day. The maximal beneficial effect on cognitive performance occurred at a daily intake of 10 grams. The studies lasted from many months to many years, and the results were compared with those who never/rarely consumed chocolate.
Analyses of serum samples from some participants found that the cocoa metabolites cyclo(prolyl-valyl), theobromine, and 3-methylxanthine (a metabolite of theobromine) were correlated with chocolate intake and negatively associated with cognitive decline. Chocolate is rich in powerful antioxidant polyphenols called proanthocyanidins. Two of these, catechin and epicatechin, can cross the blood-brain barrier and may be responsible for the benefits on cognitive function. Recent studies also suggest that many of the cognitive benefits of epicatechin in humans may be due to indirect mechanisms of vasodilatation that improve peripheral and brain blood flow."
Read the complete article available at Psychology Today!
Reflection: What is your favorite brand/kind of chocolate?
*I absolutely love any chocolate with caramel. I love the Lindt caramel and sea salt chocolate.*
#Chocolate #Brain #Research
@comfortableNight4463 This is so true! Chocolate contains probiotics that are shown to help in multiple brain functions. It is not true that chocolate causes only harm and cocoa in chocolate has many health benefits.
Dark chocolate though is is considered always the best option as it is higher in cocoa and it contains less sugar and fat. I'm currently trying to incorporate a small piece of dark chocolate in my everyday nutrition!
Thank you for the post!
@calmDew1576 Dark chocolate is a great option! Thanks for sharing!
@comfortableNight4463 Any excuse to have chocolate is a good excuse! My favorite chocolate is dark chocolate and it's even better if there's mint in it 👏😄
@fruityPond7887 lol I agree. I chose this article purely to validate my love for chocolate. Thanks for sharing!
@comfortableNight4463 I love that! Thank you for spreading encouragement to eat more chocolate!! 🍫❤️
@fruityPond7887 Of course. Chocolate is wonderful!
@comfortableNight4463 another reason to eat chocolate. 10gm is not much either
@softSummer7903 Yes! 10g isn't much but it's great to know that chocolate is beneficial. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
@comfortableNight4463 Yay more reasons to eat chocolate 🍫 I was really craving chocolate and this post helps
@spectacularCandy789 Same! I read this and started craving for chocolate too! Thankfully I bought some the day before.
@comfortableNight4463
I am happy to hear that about chocolate, which I love! I know I eat more than I should. My favorites are milk chocolate covered nuts; plain, peanut and almond M&Ms; chocolate covered cherries.
@pineapplepeanut Yum! Those are delicious!
@comfortableNight4463
Ooo thank you for my excuse to indulge in chocolate tonight :) I really like dark chocolates!
@sunnyWriting4806 Yes! Treat yourself. I love dark chocolate too!