A recent study showed that cocoa or chocolate may help improve brain health and sharpness of memory among the elderly.
This study that was published in the journal Neurology confirmed that regular consumption of at least two cups of cocoa a day can aid in better brain functions. This is because cocoa boosts blood circulation to the brain.
According to Dr. Farzaneh Sorond, from Harvard Medical School, there is a need to learn more information about blood circulation and how it can improve brain functions by affecting our ability to think.
Different parts of the brain also need different amounts of energy to function properly. If the brain needs more energy to generate proper thinking then this can be achieved through greater amount of regular blood flow.
This relationship is known in the medical field as the neurovascular coupling which also plays an important role in the prevention of Alzheimer's.
In an opposing research, 60 patients with an average age of 73 who did not know that they were suffering from dementia were observed. Researchers said that none of the results showed direct relationship between cocoa consumption and improved brain function.
According to the same researchers, drinking two cups of cocoa can actually trigger serious health conditions like obesity.
The 60 patients drank two cups of cocoa each for a month and did not consume any other type of cocoa-based foods. Before and after the study, the patients were asked to complete a memory and neurovascular function at the onset of the research.
