Mailbag! Memory Breakthrough for Seniors
By
Natalie Moore
Posted July 6, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You’ve got questions…
We’ve got answers!
If you’ve been skipping dessert for years because you think it’s bad for you, I’ve got good news…
Researchers from Italy have just found that there’s one dessert you should be eating if you want to keep your brain going strong.
And believe it or not, it works best when you enjoy it every single day.
Let’s dive in…
Greetings Natalie,
I’ve heard a lot about how chocolate can help your memory, but I would like more details. I’m 75. Will this still help me even though I’m older? If so, is there a type of chocolate that’s best? How often should I be eating it? How does it work to make my memory better?
Thanks in advance,
Rebecca L.
Excellent question, Rebecca.
Chocolate contains special compounds called cocoa flavanols that have been the subject of many brain and memory studies over the years.
And with good reason — cocoa flavanols can help give everyone a brain boost.
But a new study shows they may be most effective in older folks.
In this recent review, researchers from University of L’Aquila sifted through data from studies that focused on how cocoa flavanols can affect your memory and brain functions.
At the end, they found that a daily dose of cocoa flavanols could greatly improve brain processing speed, working memory, attention and verbal skills in the elderly.
Even better, these results were most evident in those who were already suffering from memory and cognitive problems.
And the best part — it was most effective when eaten every single day!
This means enjoying a piece of delicious chocolate for dessert every day could be the key to keeping your mind sharp as a tack well into your golden years.
Experts believe chocolate is so good at boosting your brainpower and preserving your memory because it can increase blood flow to the hippocampus, a special part of the brain that’s responsible for memory and learning.
Researchers warn that you should avoid milk chocolate because it contains high levels of sugar and milk. Instead, opt for a dark or raw variety that contains high levels of flavanols.
Or if chocolate isn’t your thing, you can always take a cocoa flavanols supplement like CocoaVia. Click here to learn more.
Do you have health questions you want answered? Drop me a line: feedback@livingwelldaily.com.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[1] Enhancing Human Cognition with Cocoa Flavonoids
[2] Cocoa and chocolate are not just treats — they are good for your cognition
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
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