When it comes to chocolate, modern science and the stomach both agree it's good for brain functioning

Researchers from The University of Nottingham's School of Physics and Astronomy used advanced MRI technology to determine that consumption of a cocoa drink rich in flavanols — a key ingredient of dark chocolate and certain other foods— boosts blood flow to key areas of the brain for two to three hours.

And that's not all:

The findings, unveiled at one of the biggest scientific conferences in America, also raise the prospect of ingredients in chocolate being used to treat vascular impairment, including dementia and strokes, and thus for maintaining cardiovascular health.

The study also suggests that the cocoa flavanols found in chocolate could be useful in enhancing brain function for people fighting fatigue, sleep deprivation, and even the effects of ageing.

The MRIs showed increased activity in certain areas of the brain after individuals consumed a flavanol-rich cocoa drink. The effect is the result of "dilation of cerebral blood vessels, allowing more blood — and therefore more oxygen — to reach key areas of the brain."

Besides chocolate, flavanols can also be found in red wine, green tea and blueberries.

Source: Science Daily