In preparation for February 14th, shelves have been lined with pink valentines and adorable plushies. Heart shaped chocolate boxes and special edition Ghirardelli assortments tempt customers as they enter, but are often dismissed because they are too unhealthy. But what if I told you that some of these sweets could be good for you?
The dark chocolate you see can actually promote cerebral blood flow and has the potential to boost cognitive function. But how does this work? Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which are naturally rich in flavanols. Flavanols are a type of polyphenol, which is a compound naturally found in various foods that can act as antioxidants. These compounds have been associated with several benefits, namely increased cerebral blood flow. Since dark chocolate is obviously richer in cocoa, it has a higher amount of flavanols, thus explaining its association with boosted mental processes.
A study by María Angeles Martín, Luis Goya, and Sonia de Pascual-Teresa examines this same tasty correlation. In 2020, they aimed to systematically summarize the sources on this subject from two scientific databases using a thorough screening process. In the end, they used eleven papers and found that the research supports cocoa’s positive effects. The researchers found that cocoa’s flavanols can contribute to improved cognitive function in young adults.
While there has been lots of research done supporting the connection, there is still more work to be done in the field. At Carondelet High School, I have been able to delve deeper into the topic. I have the amazing opportunity to take Scientific Research and conduct my own personal research project. For my experiment, I plan on testing if dark chocolate can improve test taking ability in highschoolers. I’ve loved learning more about dark chocolate’s potential benefits and, of course, enjoying some sweets!
The next time you spot a Valentine’s assortment of delicious dark chocolate, don’t be afraid to purchase some and share with friends because it can have more benefits than you might think!
By Kaylan Rizkalli, Member of the Danville Youth Council