Researchers: Dark chocolate enhances cognitive function

Research has shown that dark chocolate can enhance cognitive function. The study, which was published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements, looked at the effect of consumption of dark chocolate on monosodium glutamate-treated obese mice.

• Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in India orally gave obese mice a dose of 400 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) body weight of dark chocolate containing 70 percent cocoa solids and four percent total polyphenol content every day for three months.
• Obesity and Type 2 diabetes during midlife increase the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s diseases later in life.
• Taking enough amounts of certain antioxidant agents like dietary polyphenols have been reported to improve cognitive processes.
• The results of the study revealed that dark chocolate reduced hyperglycemia, prevented the cholinesterase activity in the hippocampal tissue homogenates, and improved the cognitive performance of the mice.
• Histological studies also revealed that cell volume in the hippocampus increased.
• These outcomes suggested that dark chocolate improve cognitive function and cholinergic activity in the hippocampus of mice, at the same time correcting their metabolic disturbances.

In conclusion, the findings of the study indicated that consumption of dark chocolate can improve cognitive function and address metabolic disturbances.

To read more studies on brain-enhancing foods, visit Brain.news.

Journal Reference:

Madhavadas S, Kapgal VK, Kutty BM, Subramanian S. THE NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF DARK CHOCOLATE IN MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE-INDUCED NONTRANSGENIC ALZHEIMER DISEASE MODEL RATS: BIOCHEMICAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND HISTOLOGICAL STUDIES. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 16 December 2015; 13(4): 449-460. DOI: 10.3109/19390211.2015.1108946