Cocoa Can Make You Smarter
A new study by the University of Birmingham reveals that drinking hot cocoa can make you smarter because it has antioxidants that increase oxygen levels in the brain. Researcher Dr Caterina Rendeiro says, “Flavanols are small molecules found in many fruits and vegetables, and cocoa, too. They give fruits and vegetables their bright colors, and they are known to benefit vascular function. We wanted to know whether flavanols also benefit the brain vasculature, and whether that could have a positive impact on cognitive function. Our results showed a clear benefit for the participants taking the flavanol-enriched drink – but only when the task became sufficiently complicated. We can link this with our results on improved blood oxygenation – if you’re being challenged more, your brain needs improved blood oxygen levels to manage that challenge.”
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