Why chocolate is good for the brain. Chocolate improves cognitive functions of the brain. If you eat chocolate, then the mind will be good.
Want to find a tasty treat that's good for your brain? Chocolate tops all lists of useful products for the body, including it helps to activate brain activity, improves memory and learning ability. Why is it so? Which chocolate is best for the brain?
9 reasons to eat chocolate
Does chocolate improve brain function? This effect has been proven many times. But what is its effect? What effect does this delicacy have on the brain? Below you will find 9 reasons that will convince you to eat dark chocolate every day:
- This is the source of happiness. Eating real chocolate promotes the release of endorphins and tryptophan. These substances dull pain, improve mood and induce a state of happiness. The sweetness also contains phenylethylamine, a substance that has the same effect on the brain as the first love.
Chocolate is the only source of anandamine. This substance is very similar to THC, the main component of marijuana, which provokes a "laughing" effect.
- The consumption of this product increases blood flow to the brain. This improves memory, increases the speed of decision-making, attentiveness. For older people, eating chocolate can help fight age-related mental decline. In one experiment, when children were given a glass of hot chocolate every day at school, it was proven that this improves short-term memory by 30% and helps them make decisions faster.
- Its consumption protects against the harmful effects of free radicals. 20% of the oxygen consumed is in the brain, so it is most susceptible to the influence of free radicals (oxygen molecules that act on cells in the same way that oxygen acts on metal, provoking corrosion). An example of the action of free radicals is the darkening of the pulp of cut fruits, such as apples. The antioxidants found in chocolate interfere with negative processes in the brain.
- Improves memory, concentration, learning ability. This effect is exerted by flavonoids, which accumulate in certain parts of the brain in in large numbers especially in the hippocampus. Another substance that also improves concentration and improves mood is caffeine. Indeed, it is in chocolate, but in a smaller amount than in coffee, so it will not interfere with sleep.
- Great way to deal with stress. Calming effect can be achieved due to magnesium. This substance is very necessary for a person, but in our diet, as a rule, it is not enough. Chocolate is one of those foods that contains the most magnesium. That is why many people like to eat chocolates in stressful situations It also helps fight insomnia.
Natural chocolate contains theobromine, which is very similar to caffeine. But, unlike his brother, he helps to relax rather than cheer up.
- Helps to "pacify" the appetite. Unfortunately, this applies only to good dark chocolate; cheap sweets will not be able to satisfy your appetite. It reduces cravings for junk food, helps to switch to less painful healthy eating. Many people eat it to lose weight. A small portion significantly reduces appetite.
No one knows what exactly causes this effect. Scientists are of the opinion that appetite decreases due to certain psychological aspects, because when all the substances from chocolate were placed in a tablet, this result could not be achieved.
- Prevention of brain diseases. It is dark chocolate that becomes a great way to deal with age-related problems associated with brain activity. Consuming this treat significantly reduces the susceptibility of cells to stroke. An elderly person will benefit from pampering himself with 50 g of this sweet every day. It can reverse the destruction of brain cells. Also, in those who use this sweetness, insanity is less likely to appear, memory remains the same even in their declining years.
Your child can also benefit from this treat. Having eaten one chocolate bar before a school exam, he will ensure fast brain work and good concentration for at least 2 hours!
- Helps maintain proper levels of intestinal bacteria. Oddly enough, but the harmonious balance of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the intestine helps protect the brain from free radicals. These substances do the work of antioxidants, which helps to achieve a similar result. We can say that this product plays the role of probiotics and helps to maintain a stable level of bad and good bacteria.
- The more chocolate, the smarter. Although it sounds like a joke, scientists have noticed a strange statistic. The higher the country's average consumption, the more Nobel Prize winners there! Such results of the study were published by the respected New England Journal of Medicine. Perhaps this is due to the fact that chocolate improves brain activity, memory, concentration, which helps to learn faster. One more interesting fact: Geniuses love dark chocolate!
Black or milky?
But how does chocolate affect the brain? Of course, it's all about the cocoa. Its grains contain a substance called flavanol. It stimulates blood flow to the brain and speeds up its activity.
Which chocolate is more beneficial for the brain, milk or black? On this occasion, a whole study was conducted, in which 30 women and men from 18 to 25 years old participated. The level of intelligence of all was approximately the same, and none of them possessed any special abilities.
The experiment began with the fact that everyone was given a piece of dark chocolate (40-50 g) to eat and the reaction of the brain was monitored. On average, the level of mental abilities increased by 62-67%. These results surprised even the researchers themselves. The effect of chocolate lasted about 3-4 hours, the first decline was observed after an hour.
It's all about the flavanol. There is much more of this substance in dark chocolate. Moreover, milk, which is part of the milk bar of the delicacy, almost completely blocks flavanol particles, and carbons are responsible for increasing brain activity, in the case of milk chocolate.
Flavanol not only stimulates the brain, it can also improve vision due to increased blood flow to the retina. But the question concerns only the clarity of the picture, and not farsightedness. You will see better in the dark, in fog or snow.
Finally
Is chocolate good for the brain? Of course yes! With it, you can stimulate brain activity, cheer yourself up and even improve your eyesight. To achieve a result, it is enough to allow yourself only 40-50 g of this delicacy every day. This amount will not harm the figure, and you will feel happy and full of energy!
Chocolate is the most delicious, aromatic and favorite treat for many of us. Of course, in large quantities it can be harmful to the figure, but the beautiful half of chocolate lovers tries to forget about this so as not to spoil the pleasure, and, I must say, they do it right! After all, besides this, chocolate is also very, very useful.
However, today we will talk about how chocolate affects brain function. It is often said that chocolate promotes higher activity and is a good remedy for lack of sleep. It's true.
Moreover, this is confirmed not only by chocolate lovers, who discovered this property of their favorite dessert in practice, but also by respected researchers from the Reading Institute in England.
They did a very interesting test.
30 men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 agreed to this experiment, and this is what happened.
Their thought processes worked within the average range, none of them had any special intellectual inclinations or supernatural abilities.
So they were offered 40-50 grams of chocolate to track the effect of a fragrant dessert on brain activity.
It turned out that during the consumption of dark chocolate, their mental abilities increased by approximately 62–67%, which not only surprised, but also greatly pleased both the researchers and the participants in the experiment.
This effect lasted for about an hour., after which it began to gradually decrease and in three and a half hours the intellectual activity of the children became the same, exactly the same as before the experiment.
After some time, they were offered to taste the so beloved by many milk chocolate. And then it's time to get upset for those who love this sweet milk delicacy - the same portion of milk chocolate raised brain activity only by 20–25%, And The effect lasted less than two hours., after which the indicator of mental activity of the experiment participants returned to their previous positions.
On the one hand - the catastrophic injustice of nature, but on the other - everything in a jiffy explained scientifically.
Researched from Reading explained that brain activity is stimulated by increased blood flow to the brain, which is provided by an increase in the amount of flavanol in the body (flavanol is found in cocoa beans). In milk chocolate, these beneficial particles are much smaller, moreover, they are almost inactive, because they do not like the effects of milk, which is added (albeit in dry form) to each bar of milk chocolate.
During use milk chocolate mental activity increases exclusively thanks to carbohydrates, which also have the ability to stimulate the brain, although their effect is much lower, and for the figure they are, to be honest, dangerous.
but That's not all that scientists from Britain determined.
In addition to mental stimulation, flavanol, which is contained in cocoa, also improves eyesight, providing better blood flow to the retina. However, everything is a little more complicated here - thanks to chocolate, visual acuity does not improve (that is, you will not see further), but it is noticed clear improvement in visual clarity, especially useful in poor visibility– during twilight, in fog or snow.
A lot of people have mixed feelings about chocolate. On the one hand, this delicacy has certain beneficial properties for the body. But, on the other hand, its use can harm the figure or even health. These effects are more dependent on the amount of product consumed. But not everyone is aware that chocolate is good for the mind. How does this manifest itself and is it possible to substantiate this assertion?
Is it really that useful?
Compelling Evidence
American researchers conducted a study in which 60 elderly people (about 70 years old) took part. Some of them had impaired blood supply to the brain and decreased reaction speed and memory. Participants ate a serving of hot chocolate daily. Other cocoa products were banned.
As a result of the experiment, participants with brain disorders caught up with the rest in terms of memory and reaction. And the performance of the brain increased by 65-70% in comparison with the previous ones.
What is it that has affected the brain? Chocolate contains high amounts of glucose and caffeine, which effectively stimulate the brain. But not only.
Which variety is better
Each type of chocolate has its own merits. But only dark classic chocolate is good for the mind. It contains more than 60% cocoa (80-90% in dark chocolate), rich in vegetable protein and serving as an excellent "diet" for the brain. The essential oils contained in cocoa have tonic properties and relieve fatigue. Dark chocolate is equally effective both in bars and hot.
In milk and white chocolate, this substance is much less, so they are not suitable for brain nutrition. And there is a lot of sugar in them, which is fraught with caries, obesity, and diabetes.
How does it affect
This wonderful dessert improves thinking processes by:
- expansion of cerebral vessels,
- activating the supply of oxygen to the brain,
- nourishing the brain tissue with phosphorus,
- blocking blood clotting in the heart.
Those who doubt whether chocolate is good for the mind should know that it is positively involved in such a process as neurovascular communication. The blood flow in the brain tissues depends on its quality due to activity in some areas.
Neurologists consider the neurovascular connection to be critical in the development of degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. This is explained by the fact that with a weakened neurovascular connection, some areas of the brain do not receive sufficient blood supply.
anti aging agent
- improve blood supply to organs
- normalize the central nervous system,
- equalize blood pressure
- remove antioxidants.
These qualitative changes in the body actively contribute to intellectual activity and the fight against aging. A few pieces of quality chocolate will improve your memory and increase your ability to counteract stress.
After overwork or as a result of lack of sleep, brain activity is weakened or disturbed. In this situation, dark chocolate will come in handy. It helps keep the mind clear and memory sharp.
Chocolate serves as a means of preventing strokes and heart attacks, preventing the development of blood clots. Therefore, it is not bad if you always have a chocolate for the mind with you. But if you have already had a stroke, the use of this product will speed up the recovery of mental activity.
Other useful components
From the point of view of a positive effect on the brain, the valuable ingredients of chocolate are:
- stearic acid cleanses blood vessels,
- phenols strengthen the circulatory system, counteracting the deposition of cholesterol formations on the walls of blood vessels (which serves as a good protection
- from atherosclerosis), magnesium controls cellular metabolism, sharpens memory, increases immunity activity.
If you consume 50 g of bitter dark chocolate every day, then the overall aging of the body as a whole, and the quality of the brain in particular, will decrease. But at the same time, one should not forget about feasible physical exertion. Due to the calorie content of chocolate, weight problems can arise.
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Dark chocolate is good for the brain, it improves mood, protects the brain from damage, improves memory and attention, relieves stress, and much more. Learn how to judge the quality of chocolate.
Chocolate is good for the brain
The world loves chocolate. Americans eat 1.5 billion kilograms annually.
But US consumption lags far behind leading chocolate-loving countries such as Switzerland, Germany and the UK.
We love chocolate not only because of its taste. We love it because it makes us feel better and happier.
You'll find dark chocolate at the top of any brain food list.
Let's take a look at 9 proven benefits of chocolate for brain and health, and why?
1. Eating dark chocolate can make you happy.
Dark chocolate increases the production of a “good” chemical called endorphin. Endorphins bind to opiate receptors in the brain leading to feelings of euphoria. They also reduce pain and the negative effects of stress.
Chocolate is good for the brain, it is the main dietary source of tryptophan, amino acids, serotonin, the neurotransmitter of happiness and positive mood.
Dark chocolate also contains phenylethylamine, a substance called “love medicine” because it has an effect similar to falling in love.
Theobromine, a substance found in chocolate, is associated with caffeine and creates a mild aphrodisiac effect.
2. Dark chocolate is good for the brain. improves blood flow to the brain.
The compounds in dark chocolate improve memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem-solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain.
The flavonoids in chocolate improve blood flow to the brain in both old age and youth.
A Harvard Medical School study found that drinking two cups of hot chocolate increased blood flow to the brain for 2-3 hours. This increased blood flow improved memory speed test scores by 30%.
Increased blood flow to the brain may help short-term memory and prevent mental decline in older adults.
3. Dark chocolate protects the brain from free radicals.
Your brain uses a lot of oxygen, about 20% of your body's total consumption. This makes it very susceptible to free radical damage.
Free radicals attack your cells in the same way that oxygen attacks metal, causing it to rust.
If you've ever seen a sliced apple, it turns brown, free radicals at work. Wrinkles, age spots, and sun damage on your skin are visible signs of free radical damage.
Dark chocolate activates antioxidants, they protect brain cells by neutralizing free radicals and preventing premature aging of brain cells.
Cocoa powder contains more antioxidants than other "superfoods" such as acai, blueberries and pomegranates. In the test, cocoa powder came out ahead of green tea, but ended up behind coffee.
4. Dark chocolate is good for the brain, improves learning, memory and attention.
Cocoa flavonoids penetrate and accumulate in areas of the brain involved in learning and memory, especially the hippocampus. Chocolate is good for the brain because it contains flavonoids, which improve standardized cognitive tests.
Chocolate also contains caffeine, a well-known brain booster that improves memory, mood, and concentration in low doses.
How much caffeine is in dark chocolate compared to coffee and tea?
According to the source, dark chocolate with 60% cocoa has about 30 mg of caffeine per ounce, while cocoa powder contains 48 mg/oz. Green tea contains 25 mg/oz, while coffee contains 64-272 mg/8 oz.
You can see that the caffeine in a normal serving of chocolate is relatively low. So it's likely that eating chocolate won't keep you awake at night.
5. Dark chocolate can help relieve stress.
Magnesium is so good at helping you relax that it's been dubbed the "original novopassitis." This important mineral reduces stress by inhibiting the release of the stress hormone cortisol.
Magnesium is largely absent from our diet, but chocolate contains significant amounts.
Getting more magnesium from chocolate can improve memory, attention, mood, sleep, and stress tolerance.
6. Eating dark chocolate can help control food cravings.
This is true, but indulging in cheap chocolates will only aggravate the situation. On the other hand, dark chocolate is very filling, so you will eat much less.
Therefore, it can help you make healthy food choices, cut calories, and lose weight.
7. Consuming dark chocolate can protect your brain for a lifetime.
There have been many interesting findings related to the use of chocolate in the treatment of brain related diseases such as stroke and dementia. Powerful antioxidants found in dark chocolate reduce the risk of dementia.
Indeed, the more chocolate the elderly ate, the less dementia they developed.
Consuming foods rich in flavonoids such as cocoa has the potential to limit, prevent or reverse age-related decline in brain function.
8. Dark chocolate supports gut bacteria, which helps your brain.
One of the most unusual evidence that chocolate is good for the brain and health is that it increases the good bacteria in your gut. And oddly enough, this is good news for your brain!
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are two of the most common "good" bacteria in your gut and in most probiotic supplements.
They act as antioxidants, protecting the brain from free radicals. Chocolate acts as a prebiotic, keeping good bacteria levels in check while bad bacteria are kept in check.
An overabundance of bad bacteria can lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels.
This is important Chemical substance, which is essential for keeping existing brain cells healthy and stimulating the formation of new brain cells.
9. Eating dark chocolate can make you smarter.
Chocolate is good for the brain, according to one study, which reports that the more chocolate a country consumes, the more Nobel laureates in her!
While this may sound like a joke, the study was published in the reputable New England Journal of Medicine. On a more serious note, eating chocolate has been shown to increase brain plasticity, a factor that has been linked to increased intelligence.
What to look for when buying chocolate and is it true that dark chocolate is better for the brain than milk chocolate?
Nobody doubts that chocolate is good for the brain, but which chocolate is better, milk or dark?
Compared to milk chocolate, dark chocolate contains more of the things that are good for you, like flavonoids and antioxidants, and less of the things that aren't so good, like sugar.
It is thought that the dairy in milk chocolate may interfere with the absorption of flavonoids, but research has been inconclusive so far.
What percentage of cocoa content in chocolate is more beneficial for the brain?
When you see the percentage of cocoa on a dark chocolate label, it indicates the total percentage of all cocoa bean derivatives - chocolate liqueur, cocoa butter and cocoa powder.
Overall, 70% is a good amount to start with if you want to experience the authentic health benefits of dark chocolate.
If you don't really like chocolate with 70% cocoa content, then it is advisable to start with at least 50%, and then gradually increase the percentage.
Like many wonderful things in life, eating very dark chocolate can be an acquired taste, especially since chocolate is good for the brain.
Is there a person in the world who does not like sweets? Most likely, if such a “hater” of sweets was found, then with great effort. Is there anyone who refuses a piece of chocolate? Yes, you can not love, for example, cakes, ice cream and other sweets, but chocolate, at least some kind of it, is loved by almost everyone without exception, although very many also reproach themselves for every piece of delicacy. But is it worth scolding yourself for a weakness for chocolate?
Everyone knows that chocolate can spoil the figure, and in general it is not very willingly attributed to useful products, and this is completely in vain! The thing is that this delicacy is not such a harmful product at all, moreover, chocolate is good for the brain.
What are the benefits of chocolate for the brain?
Several years ago, Harvard scientists became interested in the properties of chocolate that are useful for brain activity. To conduct the study, they assembled a focus group of sixty elderly people, whose average age was 70 years, and among them were those who had a decrease in blood flow in the brain tissue, which, in turn, was reflected in memory and reaction speed. During the experiment, the study participants were served a serving of hot chocolate every day, while other sources of cocoa were banned.
At the end of the study, the results were genuinely surprising - the group of subjects who had reduced blood flow in the brain tissues was practically equal in reaction speed and memory sharpness with the rest of the focus group: brain activity indicators increased by about 70% compared with the initial results, which were obtained before the start of the experiment.
Thus, scientific confirmation of the benefits of chocolate for brain activity was obtained: it's all about caffeine and glucose, which are found in large quantities in the treat.
Are all types of chocolate the same?
Of course, each type of chocolate is good in its own way, and there is a lover for each type of sweet treat. But it is classic dark chocolate that is useful for the brain, in which the cocoa content is high (from 60% or more). Therefore, unfortunately, white or milk chocolate will not work for nourishing the brain, but there are also good news: dark chocolate can be consumed not only in the form of bars, but also hot, which is no less tasty.
Thus, a bar of dark chocolate will be the best snack during the exam: you stimulate brain activity, get a charge of good mood and a burst of energy, and enjoying the most delicate taste of a treat is already an exquisite pleasure.