Chocolate has been tempting the taste buds and used to boost moods for some time now, but a new study shows that it can improve test scores, too. No, chocolate does not make you smarter, it just helps you focus.
During the study, conducted by researchers at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia, volunteers were given milk chocolate, dark chocolate, carob or nothing (control) and were then asked to complete a series of tests that looked at memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem solving skills. While flavors like peppermint have been shown to alleviate boredom, both dark and milk chocolate resulted in an increase in reaction time as well as in attention-span. Milk chocolate had a noticeably positive effect on memory. Such results are indicative that the positive effects can not only be attributed to the stimulants present in chocolate - caffeine, theobromine and phenethylamine - but might be caused by the nutritive composition of chocolate and the way it is absorbed by the body.
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5-29-2006 @10:11AM Angela Pitt said... I already know about the benefits of eating chocolate,
it's been a part of my diet for years!
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5-29-2006 @11:08AM Spoonman said... So, in short...keep a box of Junior Mints in your desk and pop one every once in a while for a mental boost! :) Just keep 'em out of the operating room, Cosmo!
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6-05-2006 @2:37PM zitsR4kids said... They failed to mention the correlation between caffiene and cognitive function, it is well known chocolate also contains caffiene. So, in short, all you morons need to gorge and binge on chocolate so I can finally receive straws and napkins in the drive-thru EVERYTIME!!!
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6-05-2006 @2:49PM John said... "Such results are indicative that the positive effects can not only be attributed to the stimulants present in chocolate - caffeine, theobromine and phenethylamine - but might be caused by the nutritive composition of chocolate and the way it is absorbed by the body."
maybe zitsr4kids should read the article more thoroughly before making such bold statements.
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6-05-2006 @2:55PM Priscilla said... Yes! Chocolate does do this. I eat it constantly and i am rarely ever sick, tired, and it makes me feel healthy, keep me in a good mood and I also am in good shape
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6-05-2006 @3:00PM Alexis said... Wow, thats so cool!
Actually its weird because I'm like stressing over a test because I can't concentrate or like focus. Lol.
Maybe I'll go buy some chocolate! =]
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6-05-2006 @3:00PM Alfred Prufrock's little brother said... Chocolate is good for every known ailment of mankind..there is no problem not improved by chocolate and no disease that would not be made better by bathing in a large bathtub of melted Hershey bars, but no almonds please!! Sitting on almonds hurts my bum!!!!!!!!
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6-05-2006 @3:12PM girlygirl said... I always knew Chocolate was supposed to be in the food pyramid!!!!
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6-05-2006 @3:17PM Roan said... Actually, chocolate not only contains caffeine. It also contains a product called soy lecithin. Well, milk chocolate and dark chocolate do, anyway. Dark chocolate more so than milk chocolate. Soy lecithin is a supplement that not only increases cognitive function, but also promotes relaxation in the body. Soy lecithin also reduces menstrual cramps and moodiness.
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6-05-2006 @3:22PM Grace said... Chocolate has always improved my mood if not my memory.I believe this is more true for females than males. Actually, I have never heard a man say "Boy, How i would love a piece of chocolate", but women crave this fairly often.......prob. tied into estrogen, hormones, etc.
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6-05-2006 @3:31PM Funxional Body said... As with anything, the type of chocolate and where it comes from is vital. The darker the chocolate, the more beneficial compounds, and less caffeine and sugar. For those seriously interested in quality chocolate (with a twist) go here: http://FunxionalBody.AmazonHerb.net/Group06_Chocamaca.aspx
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6-05-2006 @3:37PM Patsy McManus said... There are some dark chocolates that are better than others from what I believe.
Patsy
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6-05-2006 @3:40PM Christine said... That's because chocolate is also a natural source of seratonin, a natural mood enhancer.
Better than prozac!
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6-05-2006 @3:41PM JohnSeth728 said... I am in the USAF, and when I was at tech school, my instructor always encouraged us to eat a Snickers bar about thirty minutes before each test. I guess the Air Force already knew about the benefits of chocolate before this study was done.
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6-05-2006 @3:43PM country girl said... I wonder when they are going to do another study on chocolate? I'm really needing a chocolate fix right now,I can't remember a thing since I had 2 kids.Not to mention being stressed!BRING ON THE CHOCOLATE!
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6-05-2006 @3:51PM Hali White said... What great news! Now I have an excuse to eat chocolate during school...in fact...I have a Spanish One final all this week and an Algebra One final next week. Hmmmmmmmmmm...I wonder...Will a print out of this be an exception to the no-eating-in-class rule?
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6-05-2006 @3:59PM Arlen said... Actually, I wonder how the results of the story would be if you added a nice glass of Margarita to the chocolate.... I bet ya' anything that'll even boost test scores higher.... Moral of the story is.... keep the chocolate and tequila handy.....
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6-05-2006 @4:04PM Irene Melerski said... Chocolate is fantastic in every edible form imaginable. Chocolate chip muffins,warmed in the microwave,accompanied by ice cold milk is often my coffee break @ work. I eat "fun" sized bars on my last break. Usually have some sort of chocolate ice cream in the evening, whether it's chocolate chip or vanilla with a fab. choc. or fudge sauce. I have maintained my IBW (ideal body weight). Simply cut trans fats out of your diet. They are deadly and cause you to gain weight.
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6-05-2006 @4:10PM Bren said... They forgot to mention although this may be proven in the study that we should take into count the fat and sugar contents and to use sparingly or in moderation otherwise the whole world will weigh 500 lbs. I did read article showing researach that found Dark Chocolate is the best and can help lower blood sugar, tryglercides and cholestrol.
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6-05-2006 @4:21PM Kirsten said... There used to be a company in Wisconsin that made homemade chocolate called AMBROSIA. My mom used to send it to me when I was in college. It is one of my favorite memories. I've not been able to find the company. Does anybody know if they went out of business?
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