Easter has come and gone and along with the different meanings it has left us with in our hearts, it has also left us with a sh*t tonne of chocolate to try and devour before it expires…
Needless to say, while the daily consumption of chocolate to try and beat the expiry date is yummy for our tummy, we’re not so sure it’s that good for us.
However, a review from the University of L’Aquila in Italy has found that regularly consuming cacao-based sweets is good for your brain!
Valentina Socci and Michele Ferrara, the authors of the review, explained, "Regular intake of cocoa and chocolate could indeed provide beneficial effects on cognitive functioning over time.”
It can:
- Help protect your brain from cognitive decline
- Helps improve focus
- Improves processing speed
- Improves verbal fluency
- Improves working memory
- Is a great snack for short-term cognitive alertness and focus
It was also noted that elderly persons who are at risk of a decline in memory best benefit from regularly eating chocolate.
Much like how the flavonoids in tea can help you live longer, the particular flavonoids in chocolate can aid in boosting blood flow to sections of your brain most affected by the ageing process and also helps maintain a cardiovascular system that is healthy.
It’s all about moderation and choosing chocolate that isn’t heavily processed. So opt for a LITTLE bit of dark chocolate or options that aren’t packed with sugar and artificial ingredients, daily!
If you’re chowing down on a big chocolate bunny every day, this study doesn’t apply to you.
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