Chocolate, light wine and tea improve brain activity

Chocolate can help you solve the crossword puzzle crossword during Christmas. According to researchers at Oxford University and colleagues in Norway, chocolate, light wine and tea increase mental performance.

The team from the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics of Oxford and Norway examined the relationship between cognitive performance and consumption of three common foods containing flavonoids (chocolate, light wine). , and tea) for 2,031 people aged between 70 and 74.

Chocolate, light wine and tea increase mental performance.(Photo: iStockphoto / Silvia Jansen)

Participants fill out information about their eating habits and perform cognitive tests. People who consume more chocolate, light wine and tea have higher average test results and less cognitive activity than those who do not use these foods. The research team published its results in Nutrition magazine.

The role of nutrients in age-related cognitive decline is being studied extensively. Fruits and drinks such as tea, red wine, cocoa, and coffee are diets containing polyphenols, a nutrient found in plant-based foods. The greatest favor of polyphenols is flavonoids, and in the past there have been reports that people who consume many flavonoids have a lower incidence of dementia.

The most recent findings reinforce this theory, although researchers still warn that more research needs to be done to ascertain the effectiveness of flavonoids.This effect is most evident in light alcohol.

However, scientists also emphasized that while consuming mild alcoholic beverages may help improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, heavy alcoholic drinks may be One of many causes of dementia as well as other health problems.