Well, here is some good news for all the chocolate lovers. Scientists from around the world have been coming with tests and theories that support the fact that chocolate is good for the brain.
They claim that chocolate helps fight against depression and also induces a sense of happiness. Most importantly, it works wonders with your memory power and helps you to concentrate better. As per a test result, scientists have found out that those who ate chocolate once in a week showed better cognitive abilities than those who ate them just once in four to five months.
Further, experts suggest that regular chocolate consumption also averted the risk of high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. Cocoa, the ingredient found in chocolates, also reduces stress and protects the brain from damage.
Daily consumption of cocoa flavanols improved the conditions of people with mild cognitive impairment. It also improved the insulin resistance of the body.
As per studies, flavanols facilitated brain cell connections and also protected the brain cells from damage and ill effects of inflammation. While you select your chocolate, it is always better to select the ones that have a good amount of flavanols in them.
So, here are the benefits of cocoa for our brain, have a look.
1. Improves Blood Flow To The Brain:
The flavanol-rich cocoa has been found to improve the blood flow to the brain, thus boosting the attention span and problem-solving skills.
2. Increases Memory And Learning:
Chocolate contains flavonoids that get accumulated in the brain region that supports learning and memory. It also contains some amount of caffeine that acts as a brain booster and improves learning and concentration.
3. Relieves Stress:
Chocolate contains a substantial amount of magnesium that suppresses the release of stress hormone called cortisol. This helps in suppressing the stress levels.
4. Long-term Brain Protection:
Findings suggest that chocolate helps in treating brain-related conditions like dementia and stroke. It contains powerful antioxidants that reduce the risk of dementia and decrease insulin resistance that might pave a way to Alzheimer's disease.
5. Makes You Smarter:
As per studies, consuming chocolates enhances brain's plasticity and it also becomes neuro-protective. This is a positive condition that has been linked to increased intelligence and thus cocoa makes you smarter.
6. Protects The Brain From Free Radical Damage:
Out of all the organs in the human body, the brain uses up about 20% of the body's total intake of oxygen. This makes it vulnerable to free radical damage. The antioxidants present in cocoa help in neutralising the free radicals and this prevents the premature ageing of brain cells.
7. Controls Food Cravings:
Eating cocoa will help us reduce our cravings for junk foods and leads us to healthier choices of food. The phytochemicals present in chocolates have been attributed to this.
8. Triggers The Happy Hormones:
The feel-good chemicals called endorphins are triggered by the consumption of cocoa. Chocolate also produces a compound called the bliss molecule known as anandamide. Overall, cocoa helps in diminishing the negative effects of stress.
