Dark chocolate and cocoa products

Since cocoa has the greatest flavonoid concentration of any food by weight, foods made from cocoa, like chocolate, greatly increase dietary consumption of flavonoids. Products made from cocoa that are high in flavonoids may benefit brain function.

In one study, cocoa drinks containing 45 mg, 520 mg, or 990 mg of cocoa flavonoids per serving were consumed daily for 8 weeks by 90 older adults with mild mental impairment. At the end of the trial, those who drank the high flavonoid beverage surpassed those who drank the low flavonoid beverage significantly on mental tests. Furthermore, the insulin sensitivity of the high and intermediate flavonoid groups had increased, which was thought to be the main factor contributing to the improved brain function.