How does dark chocolate affect your brain power?

When it comes to brain food, many people think of nuts, fish or green tea. But what about chocolate? Can dark chocolate really boost your cognitive performance and make your brain work more efficiently? Scientific studies say yes - provided you choose the right kind!

Cocoa polyphenols: The secret ingredient for your brain

Dark chocolate contains valuable polyphenols - secondary plant substances that have been proven to have positive effects on vascular health. And this has a direct impact on your brain! This is because good blood circulation ensures a better supply of oxygen and nutrients - essential for concentration, performance and efficient thought processes.

Chocolate as a boost for cognitive tasks

Studies from Japan have investigated the link between dark chocolate and mental performance. The results? Participants who consumed chocolate rich in polyphenols were able to maintain their concentration and performance over a longer period of time. The situation was different for those who ate chocolate with a low cocoa content: Their performance decreased over time.

Even more exciting: despite the same test results, a further study using fMRI scans showed that the brains of the participants with high cocoa consumption used less energy. This means that their brains worked more efficiently - in other words, they achieved the same performance with less effort.

Why is this important?

Your brain is a real energy guzzler. It consumes around 20 % of your daily energy intake - even though it only makes up around 2 % of your body weight. The more efficiently it works, the longer you can focus without getting mentally tired. The polyphenols in dark chocolate seem to play a crucial role in this.

More than just brain food

The positive effects of polyphenols are not limited to cognitive performance. They also support:

• Stress defence: polyphenols promote antioxidant processes that neutralize free radicals and thus reduce cell damage.

• Gut health: Prebiotic properties of polyphenols promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria such as Akkermansia muciniphila, which are associated with a good metabolism and stable immune defense.

• The cardiovascular system: Circulation-promoting properties of cocoa polyphenols contribute to healthy heart function.

Conclusion: chocolate as a smart indulgence

Dark chocolate is much more than just a sweet temptation - it can be a real booster for your brain. But beware: the cocoa content makes all the difference! High-quality dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa content) provides you with the valuable polyphenols that can support your mental performance. So, the next time you have a challenging mental task ahead of you - maybe a piece of dark chocolate will help?

Sources:

Sasaki A, et al. The effects of dark chocolate on cognitive performance during cognitively demanding tasks: A randomized, single-blinded, crossover, dose-comparison study. Heliyon 2024, 10(2): e24430. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24430

Sasaki A, et al. Cacao polyphenol-rich dark chocolate intake contributes to efficient brain activity during cognitive tasks: A randomized, single-blinded, crossover, dose-comparison fMRI study. Nutrients 2024, 16(1):41. doi:10.3390/nu16010041