25 May 2006

Chocos For Your Brain

To study the effects of various chocolate types on brain power, Raudenbush and colleagues had a group of volunteers consume, on four separate occasions, 85 grams of milk chocolate; 85 grams of dark chocolate; 85 grams of carob; and nothing (the control condition).

After a 15-minute digestive period, participants completed a variety of computer-based neuropsychological tests designed to assess cognitive performance including memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem solving.

"Composite scores for verbal and visual memory were significantly higher for milk chocolate than the other conditions," Raudenbush told Reuters Health. And consumption of milk and dark chocolate was associated with improved impulse control and reaction time.

[Reuters Health, 24 May 2006]


Come June when classes will open here once more, it looks like students will now know what to do 15 minutes before they take any test or exams. Not recommended for prediabetics and diabetics, though.

8 reactions:

ipanema said...

There were previous studies on this too. I love chocolates, that was before I was diagnosed with hypertension. But then another study stated that dark choco could be beneficial too. The thought simply is reason to salivate.

Students especially believe that eating chocolates will make them happy as well as keep one alert. Same holds true with me. Coffee and chocolates make me alert. During menstruation, yes, this old bean still experience monthly cycle, I crave for chocolates. Melting just enough to satisfy me. I love Patchi. :)

manel said...

wow talaga? :) yehey! :D

may said...

chocolate is food for the soul :)
thanks for the updated link too...

ipanema said...

i still feel guilty when i indulge. there are some chocolates that make me feel dizzy. :)

E. S. de Montemayor said...

now i know what to get for the board exams!!! chocolates!- esp. australia made ones like cadbury and arnotts! yumyum...

akala ko the darker the chocolate, the more is the effect? with all the serotonin and theobromine, wouldn't it be more in dark chocos?

ipanema said...

that's what the study says julsitos. dark choco is beneficial to one's health.

For Cadbury I like milk choco with mixed fruits.
Arnotts - waffers wrapped in choco

But I find these brands too sweet for me. You're still young, you can still take it. :)

ipanema said...

Not recommended for prediabetics and diabetics, though.

I just noticed this last sentence in Dr. Emer's post.

There's chocolates for diabetics available in the market.

ghee said...

oh yeah,ive heard of it here in japan.
there s a so called chocolate diet.
the doctors recommend the dieters to make their meals balance,cut some extra food but be sure that theyre taking enough sweets esp chocolates for the function of the brain.

and some actresses/models,they eat chocolates for breakfast.