Chocolate lovers have a new reason to indulge in their favorite treat!
A recent study finds that cocoa could help memory loss. In a new study, researchers from Columbia University analyzed the brains of 37 participants ages 50 - 69 and tested their memory. The researchers teamed up with Mars. Inc. to create a drink with 900 mg. of flavonols, the compound found in cocoa.
The researchers asked half the participants to consume the drink every day for three months. The other half consumed only 10 mg of the drink each day, the equivalent of a quarter of a chocolate candy bar. The group that consumed the drink rich in flavonols had increased visual memory and increased activity in the part of the brain that is known to be affected in memory loss linked with old age. Read more about the study here: Cocoa Could Help Memory Loss
This is good news when it comes to helping prevent memory loss and Alzheimer's Disease, but before you start overdosing on chocolate, keep in mind that 900 mg. of flavonols is a tremendous amount and to rely on chocolate alone to provide those flavonols will do more damage to your health, wellness and weight loss efforts than good. It doesn't matter which type of chocolate you eat (I always encourage my clients to indulge in one small square of good dark chocolate every day), it is loaded with sugar and fat. To get the equivalent of 900 mg. of flavonol, you would have to eat 25 chocolate bars a day!
Sorry, chocoholics! This is not a license to eat huge quantities of chocolate!
So what good is all that research? Well... hopefully, it will inspire you pay more attention to flavonols and make sure you getting plenty in your daily diet.
What the heck are flavonols anyway?
They are phytochemicals found in plants. One of the biggest groups of phytochemicals, called flavonoids, is so huge, that it’s further categorized into several other groups. Flavonols are the most abundant in the flavonoid family and according to research, they are active antioxidants that may protect your health through their ability to fight inflammation and neutralize free radicals.
Think of flavonols as your weapon to fight against arthritis, heart disease, cancer and now, according to the recent studies, memory loss!
Where else can you find flavonols?
Yellow onions are the best sources, followed by leeks, cherry tomatoes, broccoli and blueberries. Other good choices include apricots, apples, black grapes, green beans and tomatoes. Black tea, green tea, and red wine also contain flavonols, and, of course, chocolate!
Include these foods in your daily diet and you'll be sure to get a good, healthy dose of flavenols!
Yours in Good Health,
Cynthia
xo
