Long live cocoa, capable of improving mood, protecting the heart and counteracting tiredness and mental fatigue! Really not bad... and what has been stated is the result not of beliefs but of scientific studies. Today we are discussing the results of a very recent research, published in the journal Nutrients by a Japanese team (Murakami et al, Nutrients, Sep 2023).
Cocoa improves mood and counteracts tiredness, the study
The study focused on the properties of cocoa in the case of women between 40 and 60 years old, who experienced a worsening of mood and a feeling of fatigue. The volunteers were divided into two groups. The first group was asked to drink a drink containing cocoa for 8 weeks, while the second group took a placebo. Before and after the experiment, the study participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire to assess their health and mood. What emerged is that the intake of the drink containing cocoa allowed, in 8 weeks, to improve mood, reducing sadness, anxiety, anger and depression, and to counteract the feeling of fatigue, increasing energy and vitality. These effects are attributable to the action of the flavanols contained in cocoa, which are powerful antioxidant substances.
Conclusions
Research shows that consuming foods containing cocoa and its precious antioxidants improves mood, brings serenity and increases energy and vitality levels. This research adds to other previous ones which have been able to demonstrate that cocoa has important beneficial effects, including an interesting cardioprotective action. In fact, cocoa helps keep blood pressure and circulating lipids under control. Not only that, the consumption of dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 85% is able to counteract chronic fatigue, while a high intake of cocoa allows you to alleviate mental fatigue after a great cognitive effort. So here's some good pieces of news! Consuming cocoa or chocolate, as long as it is dark with a cocoa content, preferably above 80%, is a boost of energy for the body and mind, it gives well-being and serenity and even protects the heart!
