As we become older, our cognitive abilities start to decline. But are you aware that there are some foods that can improve your memory? A recent study has demonstrated that cocoa extract can improve brain function in older people who typically have poor diets.
Cocoa Extracts Help to Boost Brain Health for the Elderly
(Photo : Pexels/Marta Dzedyshko)
Cocoa extract may have the capacity to inhibit cognitive decline in elderly people. Experts at Mass General Brigham have launched additional research on these effects by conducting a large-scale clinical trial controlled by a placebo, where they discovered one group that may be particularly well-suited to consuming cocoa supplements. However, experts have not yet produced conclusive outcomes from these trials.
Chirag Vyas and Olivia Okereke, the investigation's authors, asserted that cocoa extract is abundant in biologically active components, specifically flavanols, which can positively impact cognitive performance. In particular, cocoa extract has the potential to improve mental performance by, among other things, supplying antioxidants, lowering inflammation, and enhancing blood flow, all of which contribute to improved brain function.
The research investigators studied a subset of 573 older people who participated in the Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS), a long-term study involving over 21,000 older adults. This study reportedly aimed to evaluate the effects of cocoa supplementation and multivitamins on the health of senior citizens. In addition, 500 milligrams of cocoa extract were administered to each participant daily for two years. Throughout the research, participants were administered a series of assessments to evaluate their general cognition, memory, and attention.
Compared to a placebo, extensive neuropsychological evaluations conducted for two years revealed that daily cocoa extract intake did not result in global or domain-specific cognitive function improvements. Nevertheless, secondary analyses revealed that the cocoa extract supplement provided cognitive benefits to participants whose diets were of poor quality.
Cocoa supplementation differs from consuming a bar of chocolate daily. As per Vyas and Okereke, the cocoa flavanol content of a cocoa extract supplement significantly exceeds the amount of flavanols that an individual could consume from chocolate without adding an excessive number of calories to their diet.
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Additional Effects of Flavonoids on Humans
Flavonoids have an indirect effect on neurocognitive performance via triggering cardiovascular actions. It is in addition to flavonoids' direct action on memory-related activities. It was well established that cocoa and chocolate consumption provided cardiovascular benefits, including blood pressure enhancement and regular blood flow maintenance.
There is a correlation between flavanols like epicatechin and an increase in the bioavailability of nitric oxide, which is essential for regulating vascular function. This results in improvements in the tone of the blood vessels as well as greater control over the blood pressure.
Additionally, the alterations extend to the perfusion of the brain, which is the cerebral blood flow caused by the net pressure gradient. During neural stimulation, this results in improved cerebrovascular coupling, which is critical for maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the brain. These activities encourage the development of adult neurons in the hippocampus.
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