24 Surprising Health Benefits of Chocolate and Cocoa

Cocoa May Improve Cognitive Function

Cocoa flavonoids improve brain health and cognitive function through both direct and indirect mechanisms.Flavonoids play a role in brain health by protecting, enhancing function, and creating new neurons. They can also reverse neuron damage in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.Flavonoids, mainly catechin and epicatechin, cross the blood-brain barrier and localize in areas of the brain responsible for memory and learning, which is where most neurodegeneration occurs.Some studies (DB-RCT) have shown that acute consumption of cocoa improved working memory in healthy adults.A pilot study on 4 healthy young adults showed that cocoa flavanols also increase blood flow in the brain.