This is research we can finally get behind! If you really want to keep the doctor away, put down that apple and pick up a piece of chocolate. Regularly snacking on our favorite cocoa-flavored treats can help protect your brain from cognitive decline. Packed with both antioxidants and iron, dark chocolate also has brain strengthening powers that can help improve attention span, processing speed, working memory, and verbal fluency. The studies in Good Housekeeping showed that seniors at risk for memory decline received the biggest perks in memory by eating chocolate.
A quick snack may provide some short-term advantages too. Eating cocoa also helped young and healthy adults perform better on tough cognitive tests almost immediately, although the effect was more subtle.
We're happy to hear that science supports us in regularly indulging in our favorite treat!