Epilepsy Talk

Chocolate for the brain?  | April 5, 2024

Yes. You’ve got it.

If you don’t believe me, look at this statistic: places where chocolate consumption is highest have the most Nobel Prize recipients!

Here’s the deal…

A recent review analyzed the evidence to date that flavanols (found in dark chocolate and cocoa), may benefit human brain function.

In a study, young adults found that two hours after consuming dark chocolate (with high flavanol content), memory and reaction time were better.

And those taking a cocoa supplement with high flavanol content for three months had better performance on tests of memory than those assigned to take a low-flavanol cocoa supplement.

(As long as you choose a small amount of the quality stuff: Dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content.)

You might want to check out this guide on how to find the best dark chocolate.

More good news…

Chocolate can make you happy. Because it’s s a good source of tryptophan, an amino acid precursor to serotonin, the neurotransmitter of happiness and positive mood.

Chocolate chases away the blues. According to a recent study, people who ate a small amount of dark chocolate during two 24-hour periods were 70% less likely to report symptoms of depression than those who ate no chocolate.

Chocolate elevates your mood. Dark chocolate especially enhances your body’s production of endorphins. These are some of the same neurochemicals the brain produces when you fall in love.

Chocolate relieves stress. Chocolate contains magnesium, which has been linked to aiding relaxation.

Chocolate improves focus and memory. With a small dose of caffeine, chocolate can improve concentration without pumping up your adrenaline.

Chocolate improves blood flow to the brain. Eating chocolate or drinking hot chocolate improved attention span and reaction time. It was especially found to be helpful when studying math.

Chocolate protects your brain. Antioxidants found in chocolate are credited with decreasing the risks of dementia and strokes.

No wonder everyone loves chocolate.

All of this is encouraging, but more research is needed, especially since most studies were relatively small.

(Do I have any volunteers in the audience?)

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
— Charles M. Schulz

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Resources:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/your-brain-on-chocolate-2017081612179

https://www.bustle.com/p/how-chocolate-affects-your-brain-according-to-experts-21741675

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-benefits-of-having-a-healthy-relationship-with-chocolate

https://annex.exploratorium.edu/exploring/exploring_chocolate/choc_8.html

https://www.neurotrackerx.com/post/why-dark-chocolate-is-a-superfood-for-the-brain

https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-and-nutrition-pictures/delicious-reasons-to-eat-dark-chocolate.aspx

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/this-is-why-dark-chocolate-is-considered-the-best-chocolate-for-brain-health/photostory/107551929.cms

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