Cocoa may improve blood flow in brain

By Randolph E. Schmid
The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO -- A nice cup of the right kind of cocoa could hold the promise of promoting brain function as people age. 

In an increasingly aging world, medical researchers are seeing more cases of dementia and are looking for ways to make brains work better.

One potential source of help may be flavanols, an antioxidant found in cocoa beans that can increase blood flow to the brain, researchers said Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Ian Mac Donald of England's University of Nottingham reported on tests given to young women who were asked to do a complex task while their brains were being studied with magnetic resonance imaging.

Among the women given drinks of cocoa high in flavanols, there was a significant increase in blood flow to the brain compared with subjects who did not drink the cocoa, he said. 

This raises the prospect of using flavanols in the treatmentof dementia, marked by decreased blood flow in the brain, and in maintaining overall cardiovascular health, he said.

The next step, MacDonald said, is to move from healthy subjects to people who have "compromised" blood flow to the brain. 

But the cocoa typically sold in markets is low in flavanols, which usually are removed because they impart a bitter taste, Hollenberg said. He also said the findings do not mean people should indulge in chocolate.

But, he added, in cocoa a lot of fat is removed from the chocolate. "I see a bright future for cocoa, " he said. 

I am on my way to look up "dutch process" to see if that's what takes the flavanols out of a lot of brands of cocoa, so may edit the post a bit. later :D 
Also, I was reading a list of weight loss tips, and nonfat milk helps bind fat so that it can't be digested as it passes through your digestive system, so I"m thinking that my (at least once daily) cup of  coffee with dry milk, cocoa and a bit of cinnamon is very healthy!