Cocoa and chocolate ‘can have brain health benefits’

A new study has demonstrated the potentially positive impact that cocoa and chocolate can have on human cognition.

The University of L'Aquila study has examined existing literature to assess the effects of flavanols – a class of natural compounds found in cocoa with neuroprotective effects – on different cognitive domains over the short and long term.

Although the evidence was limited in quantity, studies appeared to show that cocoa flavanols can enhance working memory performance and visual information processing in the short term, while counteracting the mental impairment associated with sleep deprivation in women.

Cognitive performance was also shown to be improved by a longer-term daily intake of cocoa flavanols in older people, with factors such as attention span, processing speed, working memory and verbal fluency all receiving boosts.

Researchers Valentina Socci and Michele Ferrara from the University of L'Aquila said: "Regular intake of cocoa and chocolate could indeed provide beneficial effects on cognitive functioning over time."

However, they also noted that eating cocoa and chocolate also comes with risks due to the calorie, caffeine and theobromine content, as well as the presence of additives such as sugar and milk.

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