Dark chocolate and brain function
Eating dark chocolate has been found to provide a short-term boost to brain function according to several recent studies.It has been found that by consuming dark chocolate it can boost blood flow in the brain for up to 3 hours. Increased blood flow to the brain may help short term memory and general alertness levels for short periods. These findings are leading to further studies of chocolate in treating medical conditions like dementia and stroke. Some studies suggests that the flavanol found in dark chocolate may improve brain function for people fighting sleep deprivation, and even slow the effects of aging by increasing circulation. Flavanols are not only found in chocolate with a high cocoa content they are also present in other substances such as green tea, red wine, and blueberries. But more research is still needed to determine the amount of dark chocolate needed to achieve these desirable affects.
A few more Benefits associated with consuming dark chocolate…
• it contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant
• it increases endorphins, which gives a feeling of pleasure
• it has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) by up to 10 percent
• it can reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure
The next time you go into a shop to buy a bar of chocolate, reach for the dark chocolate and start reaping the benefits.
