Hot cocoa will not only warm you during the cold winter days; it can also boost your brainpower.
A cup of hot cocoa can be very inviting, especially during this cold season. However, there may be more to hot cocoa than its deliciousness and warmth. According to Insider, cocoa is rich in flavanols.
These flavanols in cocoa are known to improve vascular function in humans. Additionally, a study published in Nature.com reveals these can be linked to cognitive benefits as well.
The research was performed by the University of Illinois and the University of Birmingham. The researchers observed 18 healthy adult men.
These participants were given cocoa drinks high in flavanols or a placebo drink of processed cocoa without flavanols. Afterward, the test subjects underwent two increasingly difficult cognitive tests.
At the end of the experiment, when the test subjects were given cocoa with significant amounts of flavanols, they performed better on the cognitive tests. In addition, they were able to complete the test 11% faster compared to when they were given the placebo.
Improving Mental Performance
The blood oxygen levels of participants were also tested by the researchers. The test subjects underwent a procedure that measures the blood flow response in the brain.
This involves breathing higher concentrations of carbon dioxide. As a result, the test revealed that after consuming cocoa rich in flavanols, the participants had better oxygen levels in their brains.
The results suggest that flavanols positively affect cognitive ability by improving blood flow and increasing the amount of oxygen in the brain.
According to the study's lead author, Dr. Catarina Rendeiro, there is a clear benefit after taking the flavanol-enriched drink in dealing with a sufficiently complicated task.
She explained further that this could be linked with improved blood oxygenation. This means that the brain requires improved blood oxygen levels in order to deal with a challenge or a difficult task.
Flavanol Benefits Based on Previous Studies
Other similar research and studies have been conducted to prove the benefits of flavanols concerning brain function. A study back in 2017 revealed that the effects of cocoa and chocolate on human cognition considers it as a new nutraceutical tool that can protect human cognition and counteract different types of cognitive decline.
Meanwhile, another research conducted in 2013 claimed that cocoa flavonols help preserve cognitive abilities during aging in rats.
This means that flavanols can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and decrease stroke risk in humans. In addition, there is also evidence that suggests cocoa and tea have benefits for blood flow through the body.
This means it can be suggested as a specialized diet to help reduce blood pressure. Moreover, they are also rich in many types of antioxidants. However, additional research is required to understand better which compounds are linked explicitly to which benefits.
In addition, since the study on flavanols were only conducted on healthy young men, further research needs to be performed on different populations. This will include women, the elderly, and people with existing illnesses to determine if the benefits are consistent.
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