As the temperatures across the UK fall below zero, many of us turn to hot drinks for warmth. So if you’ve been enjoying a hot chocolate recently, you might be pleased to know it’s not as indulgent as it seems and it even offers some surprising health benefits.
While hot chocolate often comes adorned with sugary toppings that make it less healthy than, say, an apple, the drink has some benefits if you make it right. These include potential protection against memory loss and enhanced concentration.
A favourite in Spain, where it’s often paired with churros, the hot chocolate made from pure cocoa is packed with flavonoids—antioxidant compounds that help protect brain cells. According to ultimahora.es, flavonoids improve blood circulation in the brain, increasing oxygenation and nourishing neurons. This process supports key cognitive functions like memory and focus.
Additionally, consuming hot chocolate in moderation can stimulate the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and endorphins, which promote relaxation and feelings of well-being. This makes it a comforting choice during stressful or anxious times.
Research from birmingham.ac.uk also highlights that increasing your intake of flavanols—natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and cocoa—can enhance mental agility. So, next time you curl up with a hot chocolate, consider making it with pure cocoa to savour not just its comforting warmth but also its brain-boosting benefits.
A study suggests that there is increasing evidence to support the beneficial role that hot chocolate can have in our diet when it comes to human cognition, particularly in ageing populations and patients at risk. It notes that findings from several studies suggest that “acute and chronic cocoa intake have a positive effect on several cognitive outcomes.”
In fact, benefits from these studies seem to show an increase in cerebral blood flow or cerebral blood oxygenation. “After chronic intake of cocoa flavanols in young adults, a better cognitive performance was found together with increased levels of neurotrophins. This systematic review further supports the beneficial effect of cocoa flavanols on cognitive function and neuroplasticity and indicates that such benefits are possible in early adulthood,” the study notes.
If you are still not convinced, another study says: “Cocoa powder and chocolate contain numerous substances among which there is a quite large percentage of antioxidant molecules, mainly flavonoids, most abundantly found in the form of epicatechin.
“These substances display several beneficial actions on the brain. They enter the brain and induce widespread stimulation of brain perfusion. They also provoke angiogenesis, neurogenesis and changes in neuron morphology, mainly in regions involved in learning and memory.”
They add that as well as this, flavonoids help to “preserve cognitive abilities during ageing in rats, lower the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and decrease the risk of stroke in humans.”
How can I make a healthy hot chocolate?
To enjoy the benefits, it’s crucial to prepare hot chocolate the right way. Health experts recommend using cocoa with a high cocoa content and minimal added sugar. Pure cocoa contains theobromine, a natural alkaloid that gently stimulates the central nervous system, boosting alertness without the jittery side effects of stronger stimulants.
Because of this evidence, it is clear that data shows there are some great effects of cocoa and chocolate on brain health and cognitive abilities – so maybe have that hot chocolate after all!