Daily Dose Of Chocolate Could Ward Off Alzheimer's, Study Suggests

14/08/2012 11:01 BST | Updated 14/08/2012 11:04 BST


The research, funded by the Mars confectionery company, tested the effects of daily cocoa on 90 elderly volunteers.

Participants were given milk-based cocoa drinks containing high, intermediate or low levels of plant compounds called flavanols which are said to reduce the risk of dementia.

cocoa cuts dementia risk

After eight weeks, mental performance increased significantly for those given the "high" and "intermediate" drinks.


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Blood pressure and insulin resistance - a pre-diabetic condition - decreased in volunteers drinking high and intermediate levels of flavanols.

Lead researcher Dr Giovambattista Desideri, from the University of L'Aquila in Italy, said: "This study provides encouraging evidence that consuming cocoa flavanols, as part of a calorie-controlled and nutritionally balanced diet, could improve cognitive function.

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The research is published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.