Good news for chocolate lovers — a daily dose of cocoa provides many benefits, including protecting the brain as we age
The subjects ranged from 23 to 98 years; their average intake of chocolate was eight to 10 grams per day. The maximal beneficial effect on cognitive performance occurred at a daily intake of 10 grams. The studies lasted from many months to many years, and the results were compared with those who never/rarely consumed chocolate.
One large study of 91,891 participants aged 55 to 74 years who ate about 15 grams of chocolate per week and followed for about 13.5 years found that chocolate consumption was inversely associated with the risk of death from all causes. Their risk of mortality from Alzheimer’s disease was also reduced in these participants. Unfortunately, their results did not allow for a differentiation of milk and dark chocolate.
About 90 percent of the other potentially beneficial molecules in chocolate are non-absorbable by the gut and thus would have no access to the brain. However, the microbiota in the colon appears capable of transforming many of these polyphenols into bioavailable molecules, thus allowing their beneficial systemic actions.
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