Chocolate Daily: Boost Your Brain Power, Say Researchers
M&m’s, Brownies, Chocolate Bars: A Delicious Treat for Your Brain
M&m’s, brownies, chocolate bars. Delicious. We all love them.
And now, there is fabulous news for all chocolate lovers.
Not only is chocolate delicious, but it’s also good for our brains, according to new research.
Chocolate is available in an endless array of shapes and flavor combinations. What is certain is that there is always something that satisfies everyone.
According to new research, there appears to be an effective way to stay healthy – and the answer is chocolate.
In a new study from the University of L’Aquila, Italy, researchers found that regular consumption of chocolate protects your brain from cognitive disorders.
It has been shown that flavanols help increase concentration levels, assist in how effectively the brain absorbs information, and improve memory.
“Regular intake of cocoa and chocolate can indeed have beneficial effects on cognitive functioning over time,” says writer Valentina Socci in the study published in “Frontiers in Nutrition.”
“There are potential side effects from consuming cocoa and chocolate,” says Socci.
“These are generally related to the caloric value of chocolate, some inherent chemical compounds of the cocoa plant such as caffeine and theobromine, and a variety of additives we add to chocolate, such as sugar or milk.”
While it’s still a good idea to eat an apple every day, Dr. Jacylin London emphasizes the importance of enjoying chocolate daily.
“Consuming an ounce of chocolate per day, or about 150 to 200 calories, has several different benefits,” she said. “While no food is a miracle cure, I am a big proponent of treating yourself daily with chocolate.”
So don’t be afraid to treat yourself to a piece of chocolate! And if you have a test or a big project at work coming up that requires really using your brain, it might not hurt to indulge in a piece of dark chocolate.
Are you a chocolate fan? Did you know chocolate had these benefits for the brain?
