Chocolate with a high cocoa content, consumed regularly, brightens the mind and stimulates. This information, which is pleasant for every gourmand, has been confirmed once again in a recent study.
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The ban on eating sweets is one of the basic recommendations when losing weight. Today, against this advice, we will present the benefit of eating chocolate, but not ordinary chocolate – our “healing” chocolate should contain cocoa in an amount of at least 60 percent.
Tests, matura exams, exams, overtime at work – who among us did not save ourselves at least once with a chocolate cube? And very well! However, you need to choose the right chocolate. Dark chocolate activates and stimulates the brain, improves concentration and influences blood pressure, which has been confirmed once again by new research.
Cocoa beans contain about 600 chemicals that have a very broad effect, e.g. theobromine has an antitussive effect, flavonoids prevent senile dementia, diabetes and heart attacks, procyanidins are believed to have anti-cancer properties.
Extremely interesting research on the effects of dark chocolate can be read in NeuroRegulation. Why are these studies worth our attention? There is at least one important reason. These are the first-ever studies of the effects of chocolate on the body using EEG electroencephalography technology.
EEG tests involve taking pictures of the brain and measuring its activity while solving cognitive tasks.
122 people aged 18-25 were subjected to the study. The level of EEG and changes in blood pressure after consuming chocolate containing 60 percent. cocoa compared to the control group. The participants did not know with what cocoa content they received the chocolate. As everyone expected, it turned out that the brains of those who received ‘dark’ chocolate were more alert and attentive.
The authors of the study emphasize that such an effect does not have ordinary milk chocolate with a lower cocoa content. It is recommended to eat 2 chocolate cubes every other day, then we will take advantage of its properties, and at the same time we will not overdo calories.
For people who struggle with high blood pressure, scientists also have a solution: L – theanine, derived from green tea. It has been shown that adding it to dark chocolate will lower blood pressure and stimulate the brain at the same time. However, before we find such chocolate on store shelves, we will have to wait a bit.
If you don’t know which chocolate to choose, read our chocolate ranking.
Photo credit: Clint__Budd / Modern Furniture / CC BY
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