In good news for chocolate lovers, a new study from Spain confirms that cocoa powder may help improve visual acuity and memory in healthy young adults.

Scientists from the University of Madrid Complutense (UCM) and (ICTANA) Institute of Nutrition Science and Technology and Nutrition CSIC found that flavanols in cocoa have a stimulating effect on the nervous system, affecting the improvement of attention, visual memory and visual acuity, according to what was published in the Journal of Functional Foods.
The volunteers also had a glass of milk with cocoa or berries or an unflavored drink in three separate meals to determine visual acuity. The lettering schemes were placed four meters away from the participants, which were viewed in high and low light conditions.

To ensure the accuracy of the research results, the specialists initially conducted a series of interviews and tests to ensure that the volunteers did not have any defects and diseases.
Co-author Sonia de Pasquale Teresa said: “We need to do some additional research as proof of concept to confirm that the effect is real and that the findings can be applied to developing products that can help improve visual acuity and attention in certain populations.”

In this study, scientists examined the effects of two types of dietary polyphenols on the body (flavanols in cocoa and anthocyanins in red berries).