Dark Chocolate Improves Learning, Memory, and Focus Seniors who consume foods high in flavonoids, including chocolate, score better on standardized cognitive tests. Chocolate also contains some caffeine, a known brain booster that, in low doses, improves both mental and physical performance.
Small tells Newsmax Health. "In fact it's the dark chocolates that are particularly potent; milk chocolates have very little and white chocolate has almost none. So if you want the antioxidant boost, go for the dark chocolate."
Eating chocolate might be good for your brain, scientists said today. Powerful compounds lurking in chocolate — particularly dark varieties — have now been found to boost memory. Flavanols, as they are called, are also abundant in apples, berries and green tea.
If you're looking for a delicious way to improve your concentration, dark chocolate is a great option. Packed with antioxidants and flavonoids, dark chocolate has been shown to improve cognitive function and blood flow to the brain. Plus, it's a delicious way to get a boost of energy when you need it most.
The sweet treat also contains a number of brain-boosting vitamins, including vitamin B1 (thiamine), which helps to produce energy. Perhaps most surprising of all, it has been shown that chocolate can increase the metabolism, helping even avid chocoholics to stay trim.
Dark chocolate is a healthy snack that regulates blood sugar levels and gives the needed energy for the day. A new study found that people who eat dark chocolate in the morning work more effectively and concentrate better than people who don't.
… is good for the Brain.
Cross-sectional (observational) studies suggest that regular intake of dark chocolate (about 10 – 14 grams/day or about . 35 – . 5 oz) is associated with better cognitive performance in the elderly.
The consumption of flavonoid-rich foods like cocoa may potentially limit, prevent, or reverse age-related brain deterioration. The powerful antioxidants found in dark chocolate reduce the risk of dementia.
Not just any chocolate, but dark chocolate, in particular, is considered a “superfood” and should be added to a senior diet on a regular basis (so upsetting… we know).
Dark chocolate is by far the healthiest form of the treat, containing the least sugar and, because of its cocoa content, higher levels of substances that protect the body's cells. If sugar is your number one concern, Allers recommends looking for higher percentages.
What is the daily recommended amount of dark chocolate? The recommended “dose” is approximately 1 to 2 ounces or 30-60g, experts say. Indulge in anything more than that, and you may be consuming too many calories. A 1.45-ounce (41 gram) Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar has 190 calories.
And even though quality dark chocolate is a better choice than milk chocolate, it is still chocolate, meaning it's high in calories and saturated fat. To avoid weight gain, Amidor recommends eating no more than 1 ounce (oz) of dark chocolate per day.
Based on these criteria, some of the best dark chocolate options for concentration include Alter Eco Deep Dark Chocolate, Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa, and Green & Black's Organic Dark Chocolate. Dark chocolate and cocoa contain flavanols, which may help with heart and brain health.
Studies have shown that consuming cacao can help to improve cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and insulin sensitivity. Additionally, cacao is thought to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. So, based on the available evidence, it seems that lindt 90 dark chocolate is safe to eat.
What are the side effects of eating dark chocolate? The dark chocolate side effects may be associated with caffeine. It may cause sleeplessness, nervousness, increased urination, fast heartbeat, skin allergies, migraine and headache, nausea, and stomach problems like gas and constipation.
After that, full-fat cow's milk is recommended as a good source of fat for brain development, dropping to 1 or 2 per cent fat milk from age 2.
There's a lot of added sugar
To offset the natural bitter aftertaste of cocoa, milk chocolate contains a lot of added sugar. Sugar, of course, is bad for you. It's very calorific, so too much of it will lead to weight gain. This in turn can lead to issues such as diabetes and heart disease.