Chocolate's origins lie with the ancient Mayans and Aztecs. The Aztecs showed it to the Spanish, who brought it back to Europe, but it was so costly, only the wealthy could afford it. Until Victorian times, it was drank, and then solid masses were eaten. Throughout history, whether in liquid form or solid, it has been sought after, making angry women happy for years, and pretty much always will be; however, now it is sought after to improve cognition and behavior. That is right, chocolate is beneficial for your nogin!!! That's insanium in the cranium!
In a recent article, "Chocolate and the brain: Neurobiological impact of cocoa flavanols on
cognition and behavior" , chocolate has been shown to contain flavonols, especially dark chocolate. Well, what the hell are flavonols you ask? Flavonols are molecules known as antioxidants, which round up cell-damaging free radicals and metallic ions.(That is how this relates to molecular biology btw-flavonol molecules, in case you were wondering.) Flavonols are also in fruits, vegetables, and tea you know the stuff we wish was chocolate.
The article discusses how flavonols accumulate in the brain regions involving learning and memory, in particular the hippocampus. How does they work to improve brain function specifically you ask? Well, they are believed to act using the neurodefensive and neuroregulating proteins that improve the birth of neurons, and through blood flow enhancement in the brain and audiovisual systems. Long term flavanol consumption has shown defensive effects on neurocognition and behavior, specifically the age and disease linked to cognitive deterioration. Animal models were used to test typical aging, dementia, and stroke. However, it appears that very few human studies have been done, but those that have substantiate this idea, but only on a group between 69-89 years of age. I personally would love to see more studies done based on sex and different age brackets to see if this chocolatey cure's benefits lies with early onset or not, or even if men versus women have better reactions and why.
Not only does chocolate contain caffeine, theobromine, and makes you release serotonin ( a chemical which can cause mood elevation) when ingested, but I love the idea that chocolate could possibly help improve cognition and behavior. The article was a great read! Chocolate is easily accessible melt in your mouth goodness, but who knew what was really good for you was the flavonols? This molecule is the key to perhaps aiding with dementia, alzheimer's, and other diseases that have been plaguing families for generations. I would love to see more human trials to see if chocolate can really aid in reducing memory issues, wouldn't you?
http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.shsu.edu/science/article/pii/S0149763413001681
https://www.cadbury.com.au/About-Chocolate/What-is-Chocolate.aspx
https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200307/flavonoids-antioxidants-help-the-mind
I do think you have a point about more in depth and specialized research. It would certainly be interesting to find out that the reason that so many women crave chocolate when they are menstruating were due to some hormonal factor which caused excessive buildup of ions or free radicals, and that the flavinoids actually served to treat this. I mean, at a certain point things are unlikely to be a coincidence. Will be interesting to see where this goes with time!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree, and I want to know that too lol
ReplyDeleteHey Carrie: I googled that for you. The link doesn't cite sources though (trombones of sadness). I think that would be a great blog post on its own if you (or anyone else) can find legit sources.
ReplyDeleteAlso, should I ever be a subject in one of these studies, I hope that I am not in the control group ;}
Maybe I'll start stocking up on chocolate for the quizzes in Controlled Substances :).
ReplyDeleteThis was a good blog post! You would think they would be more human research since it does involve chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ashley, why not do more human research when it is just chocolate! And yes, testing males vs females and different age groups sounds like a better idea than using animals and only a certain age range.
ReplyDeleteSo those Snickers commercials aren't too far off!! (They claim that eating one will help you behave more like yourself)
ReplyDeleteAlso, chocolate is made from cocoa leaves, so it technically is a salad! ;)