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Who knew that the sweet ingredient we find in chocolate is
the same element that may also be good for cognitive function in the aging
adult. Cocoa, that sweet, delicious piece that completes chocolate recipes, is currently
being recognized as a source that could improve cognitive function for
individuals with early memory decline.
According to a study conducted by Giovambattista Desideri of
the University of L’Aquila in Italy and colleagues, and funded by Mars, Incorporated,
researchers reported that elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
who consumed high or moderate levels of dietary cocoa flavanols for two months
had significant improvements on certain cognitive assessment tests, reports medpage Today.
Flavanols
are a group of natural compounds that are found abundant in cocoa. Previous
studies have suggested that eating flavanols presents cardiovascular benefits. Catherine
Kwik-Uribe, a study author and R&D Director at Mars Botanical, said, “The
results of this latest research build on these earlier findings and provide
promising indication that diets that contain cocoa flavanols may offer
significant benefits as we age.”
It’s been estimated that up to 20 per cent of adults aged 65
or older have a form of mild cognitive impairment, and recent evidence indicates
that more than six per cent of adults aged 70-89 develop the condition each
year, reports Mars, Inc.
Desideri and colleagues assessed 90 older adults with MCI
who were randomized to drink varying levels – high, intermediate and low – of a
dairy-based cocoa per day for 8 weeks. The research team assessed the varying
levels of cognitive function using standard tests that examined various aspects
of memory, cognitive processing speed, executive function, as well as global
cognition.
As a result, they found that tests that examined the
processing speed, working memory and executive function were significantly
improved after two months of regular consumption. Test times completed by the
participants after the eight-week study were reduced up to 30 per cent. In
addition, scores on the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), which is commonly used as a
measure of executive function and language, were also significantly
better.
These findings, recently published in the online journal Hypertension, have stressed that due
to the short-term duration of these studies, this has not yet been proven to be
a consistent cognitive benefit, but shows (positive) signs as to the effects
dietary cocoa flavanols can have with daily intake.
While researchers continue their studies on cocoa, it can’t
hurt to get a jump on your flavanol intake. We aren’t suggesting you run around
going on a chocolate binge, because that isn’t healthy. But flavanols can also
be found in tea, apples and grapes, and indulging in any of these three
products once a day can’t hurt. At least now I’m not feeling so bad about that
brownie I ate at lunch…
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