One Surprising Benefit Of Dark Chocolate You Didn't Know About
If you've been looking for an excuse to savor some cacao goodness, here's your sign—it could sharpen your focus during mentally demanding tasks.
The science behind dark chocolate & brainpower
A recent study1 investigated how cacao polyphenols, the antioxidants found in dark chocolate, influence cognitive performance. The researchers compared two types of chocolate:
- High-polyphenol chocolate (635 mg)
- Low-polyphenol chocolate (211.7 mg)
Participants consumed 25 grams of either chocolate and then completed challenging cognitive tests, including tasks requiring focus, selective attention, and response inhibition.
Key findings you'll love
- Cognitive accuracy stayed sharp with high-polyphenol chocolate: Participants who ate dark chocolate rich in polyphenols maintained high accuracy rates, even during longer rounds of testing. Those eating low-polyphenol chocolate saw their accuracy drop as the tasks went on.
- Improved focus under pressure: Eating high-polyphenol dark chocolate boosted activity in the sympathetic nervous system—the part of your body that keeps you alert and focused.
- Low-polyphenol chocolate didn't cut it: People eating chocolate with fewer polyphenols reported a noticeable dip in concentration and struggled more with sustained mental effort.
Why does this happen?
Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that increases blood flow to the brain. This improved circulation likely explains the sustained cognitive performance and heightened alertness observed in the study.
Plus, cacao polyphenols are known to combat fatigue, which helps stave off mental burnout during prolonged tasks.
Interestingly, while reaction times didn't change significantly between the groups, accuracy did—suggesting that the high-polyphenol chocolate group was better able to maintain precision under cognitive strain.
How to choose the best brain-boosting chocolate
Not all chocolate is created equal. To tap into these cognitive benefits:
- Opt for dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao or higher to maximize polyphenol content.
- Choose non-alkalized cacao powder for your recipes to get more polyphenols.
- Check for low sugar and minimal additives to do more good than harm.
Finally, another excuse to break a little piece of dark chocolate off and enjoy.