Cocoa flavanols may increase memory in older people

A clinical trial has shown that in older people, a diet supplemented with cocoa flavonoids – compounds that occur naturally in cocoa beans – can improve performance on a specific memory task. The study was published on Monday, February 15, in the journal Scientific Reports.

Researchers at Columbia University and New York University recruited 211 healthy people between the ages of 50 and 75 for the 12-week study. At the beginning and end of the study, participants performed a series of cognitive tests to assess their thinking and memory, and a subset of participants received an MRI to measure blood flow in the brain. During the trial, participants were divided into four groups and received different levels of a supplement containing cocoa flavonoids:

• Placebo (0 mg flavonols per day)
• low intake (260 mg)
• Average intake (510 mg)
• high intake (770 mg).

Dr. Susan Kohlhass, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

“This short essay highlights some possible effects of flavonoids found in cocoa beans in a short period of time, but we would need to see much longer, large-scale studies to fully understand whether a diet rich in these flavonoids could boost cognition in old age. we don’t know how significant the improvements measured in the tests used here would be for people in their daily lives.

“While the researchers found that, at the end of the study, those on a flavanol-rich diet performed better on a list learning task compared to the placebo group, they did not find a relationship between flavanol intake and performance in two other cognitive tests, one of which was the primary objective of the study. There was no effect of 12 weeks of flavanol supplementation on blood flow to the brain region that the researchers had identified before the study.

“This study did not analyze dementia and we cannot know from this research whether a diet rich in cocoa would have any effect in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease. The study used cocoa flavanol supplements provided to participants in capsule form. Although cocoa beans are the basis of chocolate, chocolates are not a reliable source of flavanol compounds and this study does not suggest that eating chocolate is good for our cognitive health.

“The study was partially supported by MARS, Inc., the company that makes Mars bars and a number of other chocolate products.

“Continued investment in research is crucial to finding ways to protect the brain and reduce the risk of diseases that cause dementia. While there is currently no right way to prevent dementia, research shows that a healthy lifestyle can help maintain the health of our brain as we age. A healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking and keeping your blood pressure and weight under control can help reduce your risk of dementia.

“We must do everything in our power to help people take action for brain health. That’s why Alzheimer’s Research UK launched the Think Brain Health campaign as an important first step.”