In recent years, numerous studies have been carried out that have demonstrated the healthy properties that cocoa has, especially in terms of the cardiovascular system. Flavonoids, usually found in vegetables, are also present in cocoa and are antioxidants that help prevent some heart diseases. These antioxidants also have benefits on cells, helping to protect them from attacks by free radicals to prevent them from aging. Another component that helps with this protection is oleic acid.
Flavonoids also provide benefits to the brain system, improving memory and other cognitive processes. The study Enhancing dentate gyrus function with dietary flavanols improves cognition in older adults published by the journal Nature Neoscience offered a group of middle-aged men chocolate enriched with flavonoids for three months to test its effects. The results showed that the remembering ability of the trial participants had improved significantly.
Cocoa and chocolate also promote the production of endorphins, which produces a better mood that helps combat physical or mental stress. Other elements such as tryptophan or phenylethylamine also contribute to a more positive mood