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Chocolate is consumed worldwide with 7.2 million tons of chocolate being consumed in 2009 (Statista, 2015). There is a large quantity of research investigating the impacts of large chocolate consumption such as research investigating cardiovascular benefits of eating chocolate. Dietary trials have found improvement in insulin sensitivity (Grassi, Lippi, Necozione, Desideri & Ferri, 2005), blood pressure (Grassi et al., 2007) and cerebral blood flow (Sorond, Lipsitz, Hollenberg & Fisher 2008). However, there is less research investigating whether chocolate can have effects on neurocognition and behavior. Therefore, this study by Crichton, Elias and Alkerwi (2015), aims to investigate whether chocolate intake can be associated with cognitive function with adjustments for cardiovascular, lifestyle and dietary factors.
This was a community-based study of cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive function in adults (Dore, Robbins, Budge & Elias, 2008) consisting of five cohorts. After excluding participants for multiple reasons, including missing dietary and cognitive data and risk factor for dementia, 968 participants remained. Dietary intake was assessed using a health and nutrition questionnaire with six response options where participants were asked to answer how frequently they consume certain foods listed as well as some beverages. Additionally, cognitive function was assessed using the MSLS neuropsychological test battery (Dore et al., 2008; Elias, Robbins et al., 2009). Demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics were obtained from the Nutrition and Health Questionnaire (Kaaks & Riboli, 1997), whilst physical activity was measured using the Nurses’ Health Study Activity Questionnaire (Wolf et al., 1994).
Results demonstrated that all scores for cognitive performance were higher in individuals who consumed chocolate regularly compared to those who ate chocolate on rare occasions or not at all. The study also identified that chocolate consumption was linked to an increase in visual-spatial memory, working memory, scanning and tracking and ability in multiple other tests.
According to the authors, the findings demonstrate that there is an increase in cognitive performance as a result of consumption of chocolate. Additionally, even after the addition of other dietary variables such as alcohol, the correlation remained suggesting that chocolate can be associated with cognition even when these other dietary habits are irrespective. There is additional research to support these findings demonstrated by multiple studies conducted by Field et al. (2011, 2010) such as a study comparing cognitive effects following consumption of drinks containing cocoa and consumption of a control drink which found consumption of chocolate improved mood and cognitive performance.
In conclusion, the results have suggest that nutrients in food impact the brain, specifically that consumption of cocoa regularly can have a benefit on cognitive function and possibly prevent age related cognitive decline. However, it suggests that further research is required to identify optimal quantities of chocolate intake for the greatest benefit on cognitive functioning.
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