Hot Chocolate Improves Memory

Scientists from Harvard urge to drink two cups of hot chocolate daily. It will help maintain healthy functions of the brain and prevent memory failing by keeping up blood flow in the working areas of the brain.

If the blood flow is insufficient, it affects the person’s mental capacities – their brain cells don’t get enough fuel and may prove inadequate to the tasks set before them.

The research encompassed 60 elderly individuals without dementia; they were asked to drink two cups of cocoa or hot chocolate every day for 30 days.

24 participants underwent MRT which showed that those with an impaired blood flow had some small areas of their brain damaged.

After 30 days elapsed, the researchers measured brain bloodflow with supersonic rays. 18 participants showed a 8.3% improvement. They also had their thinking speed and memory measured. At the beginning of the research they needed 167 seconds to complete the task, while it took them only 116 seconds at the end.

The study revealed that antioxidants contained in cocoa enhances blood flow to the brain thus improving its functions.