The guilty pleasure that could help ward off Alzheimer's and memory loss

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Snacking on chocolate is widely considered to be a guilty pleasure by most. But the sweet treat could actually help us ward off memory loss, according to new research.

While that may sound too good to be true, Harvard University brought the welcome news following a study involving 3,500 adults. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features. The participants, mostly in their 70s, received a daily 500mg flavanol supplement or a dummy pill for three years.

Flavanols are plant-derived antioxidants that are found in many fruits, vegetables, tea and cocoa. These powerful compounds neutralise harmful molecules called free radicals, which can damage cells in the body – a process thought to play a key role in many serious diseases including Alzheimer’s and heart disease.

During the study, volunteers were made to perform several memory tests and filled in surveys on their diet. Memory scores improved only slightly for the group taking the flavanol pill.