Can Eating Chocolate Make You Smarter?

Who doesn’t love chocolate? We certainly love it here in America and eat roughly 3 billion pounds of it each year.

Why is chocolate so gosh-darn lovable? Well, there’s the most obvious reason – because it is incredibly delicious. And then there’s the other reason, it makes us feel good.

It’s not every day that something that tastes so good is also good for you. But dark chocolate is definitely a welcome exception.

For those looking to improve their mood and brain function, you’ll want to read on to learn how dark chocolate offers numerous brain benefits.

Dark Chocolate Makes You Happy

Literally.

Have you ever wondered why you feel happier after you eat chocolate? It’s not just because you have indulged – it’s because dark chocolate boosts the production of “feel good” chemicals called endorphins. Once released into the bloodstream, these endorphins bind with opiate receptors in the brain, and this marriage leads to a feeling of euphoria – kind of like “runner’s high.”

But wait, there’s more…

Chocolate is one of the best sources of tryptophan, an amino acid precursor to serotonin, the neurotransmitter of happiness and positive mood. It is also one of the only sources of a compound called anandamide, often referred to as the “bliss molecule.” Anandamide is a neurotransmitter similar to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive component in marijuana.

And finally, dark chocolate also contains phenylethylamine, a compound called the “love drug” because it creates a brain buzz similar to being in love.

Dark Chocolate Gets the Blood Flowing to Your Brain

Dark chocolate is able to boost memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem-solving skills by increasing the blood flow to the brain. This is a result from the high concentration of flavonoids in the chocolate. In one study, a single dose of flavonol-rich cocoa increased blood flow to the brain in healthy, young adults.

Another study at Harvard Medical School found that drinking two cups of hot chocolate increased blood flow to the brain of the participants for up to three hours.

It is believed that increased blood flow to the brain may help short-term memory and prevent mental decline in seniors.

Dark Chocolate Protects Against Free Radical Damage

Your brain requires a lot of oxygen to function properly and actually uses about 20% of your total intake. All of this oxygen makes the brain very susceptible to free radical damage. Free radicals are unattached oxygen molecules that move throughout the body attacking cells. This process is very similar to the one that makes metal rust and sliced avocados brown.

We can visibly see the effects of free radical damage in wrinkles, age spots, and sun damage. Though we can’t see free radical damage occurring in the brain, the same process is happening.

Antioxidants protect brain cells by neutralizing free radical damage and preventing premature brain cell aging. And it just so happens that cocoa powder contains more antioxidants than even superfoods like blueberries and acai!

Dark Chocolate Improves Learning, Memory, and Focus

Those flavonoids I mentioned earlier accumulate in the brain regions involved in learning and memory, especially the hippocampus. Chocolate also contains a bit of caffeine, which, in low doses, improves memory, concentration and mood. Dark chocolate can make you smarter and more focused but won’t keep you up at night like coffee.

Dark Chocolate is a Stress Reliever

Chocolate contains a substantial amount of magnesium, a mineral known for its ability to relax the body. Magnesium reduces stress by suppressing the release of the stress hormone cortisol. If you’re looking for a powerful and effective way to reduce stress – you won’t find better than the Sonic Wave Relaxation Therapy program.

Dark Chocolate Supports Probiotics

Dark chocolate supports the beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in your intestines. Science is finally realizing that health truly does start in the gut, just like Hippocrates said. The more good bacteria in your gut, the less inflammation and disease in your body, including your brain!

Chocolate acts as a prebiotic, keeping good bacteria levels high and bad bacteria in check.

What to Look for When Buying Chocolate

We now have to discuss which chocolate is your friend and which isn’t. Though it is undoubtedly delicious, milk chocolate contains less flavonoids and antioxidants and more sugar. Stay away from this kind of chocolate as you won’t be helping your health.

To get all of the brain benefits I just mentioned, you really want to focus on buying and eating dark chocolate, and you’ll want to follow some rules.

Numbers matter when choosing dark chocolate bars. Essentially the higher the percentage the better. For example, a bar that shows 70% means that is the total percentage of everything derived from the cocoa bean – chocolate liquor, cocoa butter and cocoa powder.

70% is about the lowest you want to go. For those people new to dark chocolate be warned that the higher the percentage the more bitter the bar will taste. You can start at a bar that is labeled 50% and work your way up to 70% and higher.

If you just can’t get your taste buds to like the flavor of unsweetened dark chocolate, try cocoa nibs instead. These are minimally-processed cocoa beans that contain no sugar but have a nice nutty flavor rather than being bitter.

And finally, reach for organic chocolate to ensure you’re getting the healthiest source of cocoa possible.

The bottom line on dark chocolate…

It is a powerful brain booster that can improve overall health as well as focus, concentration, and memory. Oh, and it can make you feel healthier. Just be sure to choose the darkest chocolate you enjoy to gain the most benefits.