Eating chocolate improves brain function, media report
Several media outlets, including The Washington Post, New York Post, The Telegraph and Tech Times reported on a new study by researchers at the University of South Australia, University of Maine and Luxembourg Institute of Health that found chocolate intake is associated with better cognitive function. Merrill “Pete” Elias, a UMaine professor of psychology and cooperating professor in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, was second author of the study recently published in the journal Appetite. According to the study, chocolate consumption was found to be associated with cognitive performance “irrespective of other dietary habits.” The researchers found that of the 968 participants studied, more frequent chocolate consumption was “significantly associated” with improved memory, visual-spatial memory and organization and abstract reasoning, even when factors such as cardiovascular health, lifestyle and diet were controlled, according to a Stuff article on the study. Deccan Herald, Hindustan Times, WebMD, ABP Live, NH Voice and Marie Claire also reported on the research.