Chocolate will be replaced with special cocoa capsules
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Chocolate loves most people, but not everyone knows that it is not only delicious, but also a useful treat. Scientists have already been shown that substances contained in chocolate, as well as compounds, help to normalize pressure and strengthen immunity, prevent the appearance of thrombi, positively affect the nervous system, etc.
In addition, experts have found that chocolate helps improve vision and brain activity. These properties were attributed to chocolate due to the substances contained in the cocoa - flavonols. As studies show, these compounds improve cerebral circulation, and also, according to scientists, affect the retina of the eye. In earlier studies, we managed to find out that in people over 25 years of age, the effectiveness of eating chocolate is higher.
Given all the useful properties of chocolate, experts decided to start a study, during which they tried to establish whether tablets containing substances and compounds from dark chocolate are able to prevent heart problems, strokes, etc. The effectiveness of tablets, the main substance in which there are flavonols, scientists decided to test on 18 thousand volunteers.
The research project uses special additives, with a high content of cocoa extract with flavonols. Such compounds were developed and patented by the company Mars, which produces chocolate bars (M & Ms, snickers, etc.). Similar kinds of cocoa extracts are sold by many companies, however, in the research project, scientists used capsules with a very high concentration of active substances.
Specialists noted that in the process of processing cocoa beans flavonols in most cases are destroyed, therefore, from the standpoint of use, capsules with cocoa extract are an ideal option.
Scientists suggest a long-term research project, during which the participants of the experiment will be divided into two groups for four years, and the first group will receive a placebo or the necessary dose of multivitamins, the second - two capsules containing flavonols. Scientists plan to get results in three years.
In previous studies, it was found that flavonols can significantly help patients suffering from dementia. 20 volunteers with different types of dementia were given a cocoa extract with different levels of concentration, after which participants were asked to perform some exercises to stimulate brain activity. According to the results of the study, the experts determined that the extract - cocoa with flavonols increased the cerebral circulation, dilated the blood vessels.
The leading expert of the research project noted that flavonols used in food additives can help improve brain activity for the elderly, as well as for people who suffer from cognitive impairment, for example, chronic fatigue syndrome.
Recently, among the scientific community, flavonols are in the spotlight. This substance is not only in cocoa beans, but tea, grapes, apples.
[1]