Just in time for International Chocolate day
a new study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, said that certain
nutrients in chocolate can help prevent age-related neurodegenerative disorders
and maintain brain health in elderly.
According to researcher and neurology
professor Giulio Maria Pasinetti, polyphenols are the micronutrients present in
large amount in cocoa that can help maintain brain health. The benefits
associated with the compound are so well established that experts believe it
could even lead to the production of “chocolate pills” someday.
“There is growing interest in developing a
cocoa extract, and potentially certain dietary chocolate preparations, as a
natural source to maintain and promote brain health, and in particular to
prevent age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease,”
says Pasinetti in the review.
During the study, the researchers discovered
that consumption of cocoa polyphenols reduces the formation of harmful
proteins, including beta-amyloid and abnormal tau aggregates. Such proteins are
known to accumulate in the brain and cause damage. The accumulation results in
loss of synapses and hence makes the connections between nerve cells
dysfunctional.
The researchers further claim that dietary
polyphenols can cross the blood-brain barrier and can easily access the brain
areas that are associated with the progression of the Alzheimer's disease in
the elderly. One such polyphenol metabolite is quercetin-3-O-glucoside that
modulates the neuropathogenic mechanisms associated with beta-amyloid.
It is estimated that nearly 35.6 million
people had Alzheimer's in 2010. The number is expected to double by 2030. Since
the current treatment methods available only target the cognitive decline in
patients and do not slow down the progression of the disease, the researchers
believe that the potential benefits associated with consumption of cocoa
nutrients should be taken a bit seriously.
The health benefits of chocolate have also
been explored in previous studies, highlighting its protective power against heart
disease, gas and bloating and a means of replenishing oxidative stress related
to muscle fatigue.
International Chocolate Day is celebrated
September 13th every year, according to the National Confectioners Association.
The hallowed date is the birthday of Milton S. Hershey, founder of the Hershey
Company It is unclear when the holiday was first celebrated.
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