Chocolate Improves Your Memory?

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I found this interesting article from the "Insider" regarding cocoa beans, flavonids, and memory. A new study published in the Frontiers in Nutrition journal from Italian scientists at the University of L’Aquila suggests that consuming cocoa regularly can improve your long-term memory. Suposedly the flavonids found in cocoa beans helps neutralize and reduce the negative effects of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's to improve "cognitive memory." I always heard dark chocolate which contains these flavonids was beneficial to heart health and blood pressure. The results of this new study is very encouraging for those with memory impairment. The study used cocoa drinks given to the elderly every day for 8 weeks and their results concluded that memory was improved. Both healthy and those with signs of memory impairment were tested in the study. Furthermore, middle-aged participants eating or drinking cocoa products also showed improvement in increasing their brain's efficiency. It seems there is an increased blood flow to the brain and immediate improvement when cocoa products are used regularly. But don't rush off to the Supermarket or candy store just yet! Your average chocolate bar doesn't have enough flavanols to make an impact — but cocoa could have positive results in memory health and to the above mentioned diseases in the future. It's a wait and see attitude and in my opinion more research is needed. But it's a start and shows promise, however, I wouldn't increase my waistline with chocloate or cocoa products until more studies are done. Source: The Insider Photo- National Confections Association