There is no denying it. I love chocolate. Today's post was basically going to be a list of the top foods to improve memory but I went down a rabbit hole of research about the worlds favourite treat. Sorry mint and turmeric- maybe next time.
The first essay I ever had to write at university was a persuasive piece on any topic I wanted. Being the 'chocolate monster,' my husband claims I am; it is no surprise my topic was 'Chocolate is good for you.' Shockingly, after a bit of research I found out I was actually onto something.
Cocoa contains antioxidants and flavonoids.
A brief history of cocoa
Originally used for it's medicinal properties, cocoa has been consumed since 460 CE. From everything to aiding medical treatment, improving cardiovascular health and ahem... aiding weight gain... it seems this magic little bean can be the cure for many ailments.
Who or what are flavanols and why are they in my food?
The bitter taste you get in cocoa, coffee and tea? That's caused by flavanols. While we tend to mask that taste today with sugar, cream and milk it is the bitterness that is doing the good work for our brain.
Flavonoids have anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects. But what benefits is there for our brains specifically?
Most research points to the memory making part of the brain. While most plants contain flavonoids the types of flavonoids in chocolate- epicatechin, catechin, and procyanidins are the reason why this delicious fruit is such a memory making power house.
In 2018 annual meeting, Lee Berk, DrPH, associate dean of research at the School of Allied
Health Professions at Loma Linda University, spoke of the study of the impacts of 70% cocoa. The study outlined the benefits of dark chocolate regarding with the impact brain waves related to memory and recall.
The next bit I have taken from Healthline as it is a direct quote from the study and the author summed it up so well:
“What we pointed out was that the consumption of antioxidants has the capability to change your brain frequency — a beneficial brain frequency called gamma,” Berk told Healthline. “The gamma frequency is up-regulated, enhanced, turned on by virtue of the chocolate antioxidants.”
Brain waves come in different frequencies, somewhat like a radio.
The gamma frequency is the highest frequency and “associated with the highest level for cognitive processing, for memory, [and] recall,” explained Berk.
Flavanol's found cocoa have been proven to enhance memory formation in the areas of the brain that deal with learning and memory. Researchers say these compounds may enhance memory and also help slow down age-related mental decline.
I've trawled through lot of studies in doing my research and truth be told a lot of evidence is from the studies is inconclusive. So while gorging on the magic 'superfood' may seem like a good idea- the additives that mass confectionary producers put in mean that generally the adverse impacts outweigh the benefits. Unless it is bitter dark chocolate, your treat may be doing more harm than good.
Bottom line? Eating dark chocolate may improve brain function and enhance neuroplasticity (YAY) but we still need to only eat it in moderation.
Thanks for reading.
Erin @ Third
References:
Fernell M, Swinton C, Lukowiak K. Epicatechin, a component of dark chocolate, enhances memory formation if applied during the memory consolidation period. Commun Integr Biol. 2016 Jul 27;9(4):e1205772. doi: 10.1080/19420889.2016.1205772. Erratum in: doi: 10.1242/jeb.130765. PMID: 27574544; PMCID: PMC4988431.
Garbutt, A. The truth about chocolate: does it really contain flavonoids? Medical News and Life Sciences https://www.news-medical.net/medical/authors/april-cashin-garbutt
Katz, D. L., Doughty, K., & Ali, A. (2011). Cocoa and chocolate in human health and disease. Antioxidants & redox signaling, 15(10), 2779–2811. https://doi.org/10.1089/ars.2010.3697
Wakeman. J. Go Ahead, Treat Yourself... Dark Chocolate Improves Memory, Reduces Stress Updated on May 10, 2018