I Like Chocolate

"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."– Lao-Tzu

What if I told you that eating chocolate can improve your memory? Would you believe me? As you know, the antioxidant flavanol is found in tea, grapes, red wine, and apples and in coca plants – chocolate. A study by Italian researchers at the University of L’Aquila stated that the prevention of dementia can be made through a healthy lifestyle. They talked about regular physical activity, weight control; a calorie controlled nutritionally balanced diet and adequate cardiovascular risk factor control as being keys.

In their study of 90 elderly patients with mild memory impairment, they had patients consume drinks containing different amounts of cocoa flavanol each day for eight weeks (900,500, or 45mgs). Remember these patients weren’t exactly eating chocolates but were drinking the antioxidant contained in chocolate. Those patients consuming high and intermediate amounts of flavanol demonstrated significant improvement on test measures including hand -eye coordination, working verbal memory and verbal fluency compared to those in the low flavanol group.

The researchers hypothesized that this anti-oxidants ability to help maintain brain function may be because of its ability to promote or protect brain cells, improve brain metabolism and blood flow which results in preserving memory. They added that about 40% of the improved mental scores resulted from lowered insulin resistance. These participants also had reduced blood sugar and blood pressure, and lower levels of a marker for oxidative damage to the cells.

I’m going to add that the study was funded by the candy maker, Mars Inc. if more studies find similar findings and are not sponsored by the candy makers,  then we can be more confident of the results. In any event, I like chocolate and therefore I am going to continue eating my chocolate whether it’s in candy, ice cream, grapes or apple’s. I like the taste. This article was found in the September/October 2012 edition of The National Psychologist.

Today, I ran a short trail run with Diane and Randall. On the 13^th of October they’re doing their first marathon. Last week they did a tough 22 mile trail run out of Robinson Flat. Randall told me that his hamstring acted up and he’s been going to see the Monster of Massage for treatment.

I emphasized to him that his training for this marathon was done, complete and finished. I suggested that he focus on rehabilitating his hamstring and finding a cross training procedure to help him with his hamstring. I added that it’s important for him to be healthy for next month’s marathon. I also suggested since there is not a time limit that he incorporate  run –walk and to think of this event as a training run for next year’s “Way Too Cool.”

Randall , be smart and "keep moving."