Winter Beverage Revs Up Your Brain?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 31, 2020
Dear Reader,
It’s New Years’ Eve – out with the old and in with the new!
Now, who wouldn’t want to start the new year a bit smarter?
Now, even though being smarter may not be at the top of your health goals list — it should be.
That’s because one of the KEYS to fending off Alzheimer’s and other dementias is to keep your brain in top-notch shape.
And luckily a cup of cheer we all turn to (especially when it’s cold outside) is just what the doctor ordered to keep your brain in working order.
A new study from the University of Birmingham published in the Journal Scientific Reports discovered that drinking hot cocoa is not just a fun treat when you come in from the chill outside, but it also might be a smart choice for your brain!
The researchers found that consuming a flavanol–rich product (such as cocoa) increases your mental performance.
Cocoa is a good source of flavonoids – which are a group of molecules naturally in occurring in fruits and vegetables that have many benefits for your body and your brain.
Scientists have found over 4,000 different flavonoids and they have many beneficial health effects. This is thanks to their antioxidant properties (which have even been researched for cancer prevention).
Flavonoids have been studied for many years and have shown to improve brain health in general. But this new report found that flavanols also increase blood oxygen levels to your brain.
That oxygen is just what your brain needs to think faster, work more efficiently, and perform well on cognitive challenge tests.
The study used 18 healthy men between the ages of 18 and 40 and tested how flavonoids affected their brains.
Using a fancy test called a Near Infrared Spectroscopy, the researchers could see changes in blood oxygen levels when the participants were given a carbon dioxide challenge after drinking cocoa.
The researchers found that the flavanol–rich cocoa kept blood oxygen levels high even after breathing carbon dioxide rich air!
They then sent the participants through some progressively complex mental tests.
The cognitive exams backed up the oxygen findings, where they found significant improvements in speed and accuracy for mental challenges.
On average, the group finished the more complex task 11 percent faster when they were drinking cocoa.
The researchers chose cocoa because it’s one of the more concentrated forms of flavonoids, and it is tasty.
But the good news is flavanols can also be found in other foods such as grapes, apples, tea, coffee, berries, and even wine.
Make sure you are adding flavonoids to your diet every day!
P.S. If you’re looking for more ways to boost your brain and slam the brakes on dementia, I urge you to – while sipping your hot cocoa – click here and read about my no. 1 plan for STOPPING dementia.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
“Osteoporosis Proof” Your Bones with a Breakfast Staple
Everything from ad campaigns to our doctors’ praise has given milk an unbeatable bone-building halo. For years, it’s been drummed into us. Milk is the ultimate key to strong bones. But IS dairy as good as it gets when it comes to protecting our bones? Don’t get me wrong—I AM a fat of full-fat dairy....
Delicious Drink SLASHES Bowel Cancer Risk
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of beating cancer. You’re on top of the world. After all, you’ve literally escaped death, and you have the endorphins surging through your body to prove it. But after that initial high, worry can start to sneak in because remission comes with a new risk—recurrence. With bowel cancer, the...
The Tiny Green Secret to a SHARPER Brain
We all want to keep our brains functioning at their absolute best for as long as possible. In fact, I bet you’re already doing some of the usual brain-supporting things like taking supplements, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and trying to keep stress levels in check. However, you can add one more thing to your...
Is Your Bathroom Hiding a Dirty Secret?
Let’s talk about your bathroom. You probably spend a good chunk of your day there, from your morning routine to your evening wind-down. But how clean do you really keep it? Maybe you’re a neat freak, scrubbing every surface until it sparkles. Or perhaps you’re more of a “clean enough” type, giving things a quick...
Key Facts to Consider BEFORE Trying Marijuana
Lately, I’ve had a lot of people ask me if marijuana is safe, and my answer always is, “It depends…” You may have lived through the wild days of the 60s and 70s and even experimented with a little weed back then. But the marijuana of today is NOT the same mellow grass you remember....
MAILBAG: Decoding Chest Pain and Breathlessness During Activity
“I’ve been having chest pain and shortness of breath when I’m active. Could this be a sign of a heart problem? What tests should I undergo to determine if there’s an issue?” -Paul Hi Paul, Regardless of past heart history, I always advise folks to seek medical help immediately if they experience concerning symptoms, including...
The Surprising Key to SURVIVING a Stroke
Imagine you’re going about your day when, suddenly, your world turns upside down. Your vision blurs, your speech slurs, and you feel a weakness in your arm. You’re having a stroke. It’s a terrifying experience that far too many of us have faced. And if you’re lucky enough to survive, the fear of another stroke...
The Deadly Truth About Sleep Apnea REVEALED
Where do you put sleep on your priorities list? It should rank pretty high for everyone, but if you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it’s time to make it one of your TOP priorities. After all, the alarming results of the latest OSA research make it clear that quality sleep is truly a matter of...
Mistakes that Make Seasonal Allergies WORSE
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know how miserable they can make you feel. Common irritants, such as mold spores, dust mites, pet dander, air pollution, and strong odors, can make your symptoms go from bad to worse. You can avoid some of these triggers, and you have no control over others. Either way,...
The Hidden Dangers of Fried Foods
It’s no wonder French fries are so popular. They’re crispy, salty, and oh-so-satisfying. As a matter of fact, as I wrote the words “crispy” and “salty” just now, my mouth watered. I’m only human, after all. But brace yourself—because what I’m about to share will make you think twice before diving into your next serving...