Mouth watering smart chocolates, which are made of dietary cocoa extract can prevent age-related neuro-degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s in the elderly and it can promote brain health, scientists have informed.

There are scientific evidence supporting the growing interest in developing certain dietary chocolate from dietary cocoa extract, which as a natural source to maintain and promote brain health.

Termed as smart chocolates it can prevent age-related neuro degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease which is the most common form of age-related dementia affecting an estimated 44 million people worldwide, said Dr Giulio Maria Pasinetti, professor of neurology from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

Cocoa extracts contain polyphenols, micro nutrients that have many health benefits, including reducing age-related cognitive dysfunction and promoting healthy brain ageing.

Previous studies from Dr Pasinetti’s laboratory suggest that certain cocoa extract preparations may prevent or possibly delay Alzheimer’s disease in animal experimental models of the disease.

Most importantly, the role of cocoa polyphenols in preventing abnormal accumulation of toxic protein aggregates in the brain would play a pivotal role in preventing the loss of synapses that are critical for functional connection among neurons.

The benefits of cocoa polyphenols in preventing synapse loss and, therefore, in preserving or restoring synaptic function may provide a viable and important strategy for preserving cognitive function, the authors said.

There is a need for multi-disciplinary collaborative efforts involving cocoa producers, wholesalers and the biomedical community if we want to succeed in the development of cocoa extract for health benefits, Dr Pasinetti added.

Certain evidence inform that cocoa processing can significantly influence its polyphenol content, ultimately influencing its biological activity.

Interestingly, two of the most common processing techniques for the chocolate we consume have been reported to result in the loss of as much as 90 per cent of the poly phenols in cocoa, Dr Pasinetti informed.

Ongoing research will provide an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen our understanding of the beneficial roles of cocoa poly phenols and improve cocoa development and processing in order to promote healthy brain ageing and possibly prevent Alzheimer’s disease, the authors concluded.

The paper was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Like

Dislike

Be a part of Elets Collaborative Initiatives. Join Us for Upcoming Events and explore business opportunities. Like us on Facebook , connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter , Instagram.