Do you know hot chocolate is actually beneficial for your brain?
Yes! A cup of dark hot chocolate has surprising health benefits possibly playing a vital role in the wellness of your brain.
A review published in Frontiers of Nutrition suggests that flavanols (found in cocoa & dark chocolate) may benefit human brain function. Some research suggests that dark chocolate is an anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing superfood for the human body.
Consumed regularly, it can help keep your mood happy and joyful, your mind sharp and alert, and help you live a life full of exuberance.
Tiggle’s dark hot chocolate is the perfect beverage that helps to boost your energy levels and promises to uplift your mood instantly.
So, swap the thrum of other beverages for the more bucolic vibe of Tiggle’s dark hot chocolate, taking a holistic approach to your health.
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This blog lists 4 shocking benefits of hot chocolate that are backed by scientific research.
1. Improves Your Mood & Relieves Stress
Research by the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that dark chocolate uplifts the production of feel-good hormones called endorphins which leads to the feeling of euphoria (natural high state).
It has also been found that indulging in dark chocolate boosts levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, which acts as a mood lifter. It will uplift your mood into a blissful state.
Furthermore, a recent review at Wiley Online Library found that dark chocolate enhances feelings of fulfilment and calmness.
Dark chocolate hot cocoa also contains tryptophan, which is a natural anti-depressant that boosts happiness and a positive mood.
2. Improves Your Cognitive Function
Dark Hot Chocolate improves the cognitive function of your brain.
A study by the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology showed that drinking flavanol-rich cocoa for just 5 days improves the cognitive function of the brain.
Controlled studies published in the medical Journal of Hypertension found that cocoa also improves cognitive function, both in healthy young adults and in elderly people with mild mental impairment.
Moreover, another study shows that consuming even single doses of flavanol-rich dark chocolate improves performance on cognitive and mental tests in healthy adults.
3. Improve Blood Flow To The Brain
In a recent study, it has been found that a single dose of dark hot chocolate rich in flavonoids boosts blood flow to the brain in healthy young adults.
A study by the University of Nottingham found that indulging in dark chocolate helps sharpen up the mind and boosts brain memory, alertness time, and problem-solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain.
Furthermore, several studies by Harvard Medical School demonstrated evidence of improved brain blood flow for a short period of time after drinking 2-3 cups of dark chocolate.
So, indulge yourself with a hot dark chocolate drink every single day to improve the blood flow to the brain in the long term.
4. May Reduce Risk Of Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s Disease
Dark hot chocolate may protect your brain from age-related oxidative stress and inflammation that play an important role in neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
A study shows that cocoa, the primary ingredient in Dark Chocolate, triggers neuroprotective and preventive effects in Alzheimer’s by balancing BDNF which plays an important role in the growth of brain cells and is essential for learning and memory.
Moreover, a 2016 study found that old-age volunteers who consumed flavanol-rich dark chocolate for 2 weeks got a 10% increase in their blood flow to the middle cerebral artery in the brain.
It has also been proven that dark chocolate helps in preventing dementia and Parkinson’s.
Bottom Line
Dark Chocolate should be referred to as ‘brain food’ as it is loaded with tons of nutrients and phytochemicals which help in improving your overall brain health and make you happier and joyful.
Adding dark chocolate to your diet is a great idea but be aware that it is high in calories, so moderation is key!
What are you waiting for then? Indulge yourself with a cup of this blissful beverage to beat this winter chill.
Peace!
