Alzheimer’s Notes

Can a Cup of Cocoa Help Ward off Alzheimer’s?

by Mary Emma Allen on February 19th, 2007

Do you like cocoa?  Good!  Have a cup of cocoa, improve the blood flow to your brain, and possibly help ward off Alzheimer’s.

According to a report at the American Association for the Advancement of Science , researchers at England’s University of Nottingham have found that some types of cocoa could promote or improve brain function as people get older.

“One potential source of help may be flavanols, an antioxident found in cocoa beans that can improve blood flow to the brain,” stated researchers at the meeting.

From using healthy subjects, who responded favorably to the use of flavanols in cocoa beans, reseachers say the next step is to use subjects who have “compromised” blood flow to the brain.

However, the cocoa that appears most effective generally is not that sold in stores for making cocoa because flavanols give a bitter taste.  Thus, much has been removed from some of the cocoa we generally drink. 

                                     Also, keep in mind that cocoa can involve a calorie problem so should be used in moderation even though it might prove good as an antioxident.  However, Norman Hollenberg of Harvard Medical School says, “I see a bright future for cocoa.”