Dark Chocolate Improves Mood, And Other Things

Feeling cranky? Have some dark chocolate. Forget where you put the chocolate? Have some more chocolate. Chocolate, according to researchers at Loma Linda University, improves mood, and something else, oh yeah, memory. It also reduces inflammation. A Loma Linda news release reports that researchers at the school examined the impact of 70 percent cacao chocolate consumption on human immune and dendritic cell gene expression, with focus on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The study also found that eating cacao “up-regulates multiple intracellular signaling pathways involved in T-cell activation, cellular immune response and genes involved in neural signaling and sensory perception – the latter potentially associated with the phenomena of brain hyperplasticity.” Yes, those are big words for good things. A second study looked at the EEG response to eating 48 grams of dark chocolate (70% cacao) after 30 minutes and after two hours, on modulating brain frequencies, specifically beneficial gamma frequency (25-40Hz). Those findings show that chocolate that is 70 percent cacao enhances neuroplasticity and brain health benefits.