This news comes to you just in time for the holidays. You're welcome.
If you love chocolate, you're in luck. Another study was released recently that touts the cognitive benefits of cocoa flavanols. These flavanols are found in natural dark chocolate, so please don't rush out and buy a Hershey's bar or anything similar to that.
Flavanols are found in many colorful fruits and vegetables, but they are particularly rich in cocoa . They have been shown to improve vascular function, which includes brain vasculature for boosted cognitive performance.
The study looked at the positive effects of the flavanols on healthy individuals who were non-smokers with no known brain, heart, vascular or respiratory diseases. The results of the study found that cocoa flavanols have a positive effect on healthy brains when cognitive performance is tested before and after the ingestion of the cocoa flavanols.
Test performance was boosted with the cocoa flavanols as well. So it may benefit children and young adults to consume some dark chocolate before challenging testing situations. Of course, as always, this may not benefit all due to bioindividuality. Some individuals are sensitive to chocolate, its flavanols or other compounds. So please be aware of individual needs.
Here are a few chocolate recipes for you to try out to get some added flavanols for cognitive performance.
Dirty Chai Dark Chocolate Flourless Brownies from Cotter Crunch
Paleo Vegan Double Chocolate Pie from Real Food with Jessica
Mexican Hot Chocolate Ice Cream from What Great Grandma Ate
Dairy Free Dark Chocolate Mousse from The Real Food Dietitians
Paleo Chocolate Chunks from Bakerita
Keep in mind that these chocolate recipes are great holiday treats. However, I recommend watching your sugar intake and not overindulging too much. But after the year we've had in 2020, you deserve a chocolatey, cognitive boosting treat. Enjoy!