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Read our <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html">Privacy</a> and <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html">Cookie</a> Policies to find out more.</p> </div> <div class="tabs"></div> <div class="region region-content"> <article class="full-article" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/NewsArticle"> <meta itemprop="mainEntityOfPage" content="http://www.independent.co.uk/property/house-and-home/pets/news/eating-chocolate-regularly-improves-brain-function-according-to-new-study-a6888701.html"> <div itemprop="publisher" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Organization"> <meta itemprop="name" content="The Independent"> <link itemprop="sameAs" href="http://www.independent.co.uk"> <link itemprop="logo" href="https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/brand-logo.png"> </div> <div class="dark-background"> <header> <ol vocab="http://schema.org/" typeof="BreadcrumbList" class="breadcrumbs clearfix"><li property="itemListElement" typeof="ListItem"><a property="item" typeof="WebPage" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/property"><span property="name">Property</span></a></li><li property="itemListElement" typeof="ListItem"><a property="item" typeof="WebPage" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/property/house-and-home"><span property="name">House & Home</span></a></li><li property="itemListElement" typeof="ListItem"><a property="item" typeof="WebPage" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/property/house-and-home/pets"><span property="name">Pets</span></a></li><li property="itemListElement" typeof="ListItem"><a property="item" typeof="WebPage" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/property/house-and-home/pets/news"><span property="name">News</span></a></li></ol> <h1 itemprop="headline" class=" ">Eating chocolate regularly ‘improves brain function’ according to new study </h1> <div class="intro"> <p>Habitual chocolate intake has been positively associated with cognitive performance in the study </p> </div> <ul class="caption meta inline-pipes-list"> <li class="author" itemprop="author" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"> <span itemprop="name"><a href="/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/author/loulla-mae-eleftheriou-smith" title="Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith">Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith</a></span> </li> <li title="22 February 2016 09:29 London"><time data-microtimes="{"published":"1456133340000","display":0,"changed":"1456133340000"}" datetime="09:29, 22 February 2016">Monday 22 February 2016 09:29 BST</time></li> <li class="comments"> <a href="#commentsDiv" id="comment-count" class="icon-comment"></a> </li> </ul> <div id="gigya-share-btns-1"></div> </header> <figure itemprop="associatedMedia video" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/VideoObject" class="featured-media medium-width"> <div class="video-player"> <div class="bc_container"> <video id="4922761296001" data-account="624246174001" data-player="82f79524-152c-485f-bcb0-09197a216c87" data-embed="default" data-video-id="4922761296001" class="video-js" controls></video> <script src="//web.archive.org/web/20161009102010js_/http://players.brightcove.net/624246174001/82f79524-152c-485f-bcb0-09197a216c87_default/index.min.js"></script> </div>  </div> </figure> <div class="video-playlist"> <h2 class="box-title box-title-dark"><a href="/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/videos">Popular videos</a></h2><ul><li> <a href="/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-income-taxes-tax-return-presidential-race-documents-brilliant-use-little-as-possible-a7343751.html"> <img 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Now she's being mocked for it </h2> </a> </li></ul></div> </div> <div class="article-wrapper clearfix"> <div class="main-content-column"> <div class="text-wrapper" itemprop="articleBody"> <p>Good news for chocolate lovers: eating the sweet treat has been found to have a positive association with cognitive performance, according to a new study.</p> <p>Published in the journal <em>Appetite</em>, researchers used data collected from a Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study (MSLS), in which 968 people aged between 23 and 98 were measured for dietary intake and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as cognitive function. </p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161009102010/http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666316300459">The researchers found</a> that regularly eating chocolate was significantly associated with cognitive function “irrespective of other dietary habits”.</p> <div class="relatedlinkslist inline-block-related-list inline-block-right"> <h2 class="box-title">Read more</h2> <div class="relatedlinkslist-content"> <ul class="related"><li><a data-author="undefined" data-nid="undefined" data-publish_date="undefined" href="/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/the-food-industrys-sweet-trickery-goes-far-beyond-white-chocolate-mochas-a6881106.html">The food industry's sweet trickery goes far beyond hot drinks</a></li> <li><a data-author="undefined" data-nid="undefined" data-publish_date="undefined" href="/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/cadbury-adds-two-new-dairy-milk-medley-chocolate-bars-a6879016.html">Cadbury adds two new Dairy Milk Medley chocolate bars </a></li> <li><a data-author="undefined" data-nid="undefined" data-publish_date="undefined" href="/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/baftas-2016-gift-bag-worth-130000-less-than-oscars-contains-hairspray-tea-chocolates-and-marmalade-a6873171.html">Here's what is in the austerity hit BAFTAs gift bag</a></li> <li><a data-author="undefined" data-nid="undefined" data-publish_date="undefined" href="/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/mcdonalds-mcchoco-potatoes-chips-chocolate-sauce-japan-a6823101.html">McDonald's introduces ‘McChoco Potatoes’ chips and chocolate sauce </a></li> </ul></div> </div> <p>More frequent chocolate consumption was “significantly associated with better performance on [cognitive tests including] visual-spatial memory and organisation, working memory, scanning and tracking, abstract reasoning, and the mini-mental state examination”.</p> <p>Cocoa flavanols, a subgroup of flavonoids, which are found in chocolate, are associated with the positive cognitive function.</p> <div class="dnd-widget-wrapper context-sdl_editor_representation type-gallery"><div class="dnd-atom-rendered"><div class="image"><script> <![CDATA[// ><!]]> </script><div class="container grid-mod-gallery" data-scald-gallery="3505886">  <h2 class="gallery-title"><span class="media-prefix icon-gallery"></span>Chocolate 'can help keep you slim'</h2> <div class="images">  <ul><li class="lazy " data-original="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_large/public/thumbnails/image/2012/03/27/12/chocolate1.jpg"> <a data-gallery-thumb="1" href="#"><span class="pager icon-arrow-left"></span></a> <a data-gallery-thumb="1" href="#"><span class="pager icon-arrow-right"></span></a> </li> <li class="lazy " data-original="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/storylist/public/thumbnails/image/2012/03/27/15/107955131.jpg" style="background-image: url('/web/20161009102010im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/ines_theme/img/blank.gif');"> <a data-gallery-thumb="2" href="#"></a> </li> <li class="lazy " data-original="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/storylist/public/thumbnails/image/2012/03/27/15/83580803.jpg" style="background-image: url('/web/20161009102010im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/ines_theme/img/blank.gif');"> <a data-gallery-thumb="3" href="#"></a> </li> <li class="lazy " data-original="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/storylist/public/thumbnails/image/2012/03/27/15/108290346.jpg" style="background-image: url('/web/20161009102010im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/ines_theme/img/blank.gif');"> <a data-gallery-thumb="4" href="#"></a> </li> <li> <a class="show-all initial-open" href="#"> <span class="additional-photos icon-gallery">5</span> <span class="label">show all</span> </a> </li> </ul></div> </div> <div class="full-gallery"> <div class="scroller"> <a href="#" class="close icon-close" title="Close gallery"></a> <h2 class="gallery-title"><span class="media-prefix icon-gallery"></span>Chocolate 'can help keep you slim'</h2> <div class="images"> <ul><li data-gallery-item="1" data-original="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_large/public/thumbnails/image/2012/03/27/12/chocolate1.jpg" style="background-image: url('/web/20161009102010im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/ines_theme/img/blank.gif');" class=""></li> <li data-gallery-item="2" data-original="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_large/public/thumbnails/image/2012/03/27/15/107955131.jpg" style="background-image: url('/web/20161009102010im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/ines_theme/img/blank.gif');" class=""></li> <li data-gallery-item="3" data-original="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_large/public/thumbnails/image/2012/03/27/15/83580803.jpg" style="background-image: url('/web/20161009102010im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/ines_theme/img/blank.gif');" class=""></li> <li data-gallery-item="4" data-original="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_large/public/thumbnails/image/2012/03/27/15/108290346.jpg" style="background-image: url('/web/20161009102010im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/ines_theme/img/blank.gif');" class=""></li> <li data-gallery-item="5" data-original="https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_large/public/thumbnails/image/2012/03/27/15/73636060-v2.jpg" style="background-image: url('/web/20161009102010im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/ines_theme/img/blank.gif');" class=""></li> </ul><span class="icon-arrow-left"></span> <span class="icon-arrow-right"></span> <a href="#" class="pager prev" title="Previous photo"></a> <a href="#" class="pager next" title="Next photo"></a> </div> <ul class="legends"><li data-gallery-legend="1"> <h2> <span class="counter">1/5</span>  </h2>  <p></p><p>Chocolate</p> <p>New research finds that our calorific and delicious friend chocolate might not be quite the demon the level of fat and sugar it contains would suggest. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that of nearly 1,000 American participants, those who ate chocolate a few times a week were slimmer, on average, than those who only ate it sporadically. Reasons for this surprising conclusion are not entirely clear, but there is a suggestion that chocolate contains chemicals which boost weight loss as opposed to fatty acid synthesis. Previous (totally unrelated) studies indicate that chocolate may also be good for the heart. </p>  <p class="credits">Getty Images</p> </li> <li data-gallery-legend="2"> <h2> <span class="counter">2/5</span>  </h2>  <p></p><p>Eggs</p> <p>The chicken egg debate (no, not which came first) has been raging for many years. For ages it was thought that too many omelettes could have an adverse effect on cholesterol. We were told by health advisers to limit intake of eggs to around three a week. But then a University of Surrey study suggested that most people could eat as many eggs as they liked without damaging their health. It found that there was an “ingrained misconception” linking eating eggs to high cholesterol and heart disease. It’s Easter next week, so tuck in. </p>  <p class="credits">Getty</p> </li> <li data-gallery-legend="3"> <h2> <span class="counter">3/5</span>  </h2>  <p></p><p>Full cream milk</p> <p>The Skinny Latte generation might be perplexed to hear that opting for skimmed milk might not be the healthiest option available. While the fat content of full cream milk is not in question, and should be consumed sensibly, some of the fats, proteins and vitamins it contains may be beneficial to metabolism and can actually help you shed weight as well as providing essential nutrients, according to a study at Cardiff University.</p>  <p class="credits">Getty</p> </li> <li data-gallery-legend="4"> <h2> <span class="counter">4/5</span>  </h2>  <p></p><p>Coffee</p> <p>This tasty bean-based beverage might have a reputation for being a nasty diuretic that leaves you jittery, caffeine high and with bad breath. But in moderation, coffee has been shown to have beneficial effects on our health. University of California cardiologists found there was no evidence, as had been thought, that coffee increased the risk of heart attack and, strikingly, discovered that in a study of 27,000 women over 15 years, one to three coffees a day reduced the risk of heart disease by nearly a quarter. Other studies found that a cup of coffee a day reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and possibly even diabetes. There are downsides to having consumption, including caffeine addiction and anxiety, and strong coffees are a risk to pregnant women.</p>  <p class="credits">Getty</p> </li> <li data-gallery-legend="5"> <h2> <span class="counter">5/5</span>  </h2>  <p></p><p>Red wine</p> <p>Many people substitute 'red wine' for 'apple' in that old adage about one a day keeping the doctor away. Which might not be entirely left of the mark. According to research for the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College, London, a daily glass of red could help to treat lung disease. It has been linked to cancer prevention, reducing the harmful effects of smoking, fighting herpes and might even extend lifespan. It is, however, not advised to drink large quantities, and as with all alcohol, red wine should be consumed sensibly.</p>  <p class="credits">Getty</p> </li> </ul><div class="ad-mpu mpu5-container"> </div> </div> </div> </div></div></div> <p>High levels of flavanols are found in dark chocolate but less so in milk or white chocolate. High levels of flavanols are also found in tea, red wine and certain fruits such as grapes and apples.</p> <p>The researchers also stated the findings supported recent clinical trials that suggest “regular intake of cocoa flavanols may have a beneficial effect on cognitive function, and possibly protect against normal age-related cognitive decline”.</p> <meta itemprop="datePublished" content="2016-02-22T09:29:00+00:00"/> <ul class="inline-pipes-list"> <li> More about: </li> <li><a itemprop="keywords" href="/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/topic/Chocolate">Chocolate</a></li> </ul> <div id="gigya-share-btns-2"></div> <a href="/web/20161009102010/http://www.independent.co.uk/syndication/reuse-permision-form" target="_blank" class="syndication-btn"><img src="/web/20161009102010im_/http://www.independent.co.uk/sites/all/themes/ines_themes/independent_theme/img/reuse.png" width="25">Reuse content</a> </div> <div class="box-comments"> </div> <div class="taboola"> <div 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