High-Cacao Chocolate Combats Midday Slump

Have you ever experienced a midday slump? Somewhere between 2:00 and 4:00 pm it can become difficult to concentrate or even to stay awake.

Some people go for their second or third cup of coffee to ward to perk up. But a new study shows that high-cacao chocolate might also have a stimulant effect that is not entirely dependent on caffeine.

Dark Chocolate Boosts Alertness

The research was partially supported by the Hershey Company and used EEG technology to measure attention. The study subjects were 122 volunteers between 18 and 25 years old, randomly assigned to consume 60 percent cacao chocolate or control chocolates with lower amounts of cacao compounds.

Those getting the 60 percent cacao chocolate had EEG tracings showing more alertness and better attention. This also corresponded to the way they felt.

Although regular consumption of cocoa compounds has been associated with lower blood pressure in previous studies (as we have discussed), these researchers found that high-cacao chocolate temporarily raised diastolic blood pressure by 3 to 5 points.

One of the control chocolates had L-theanine added to it. This is a compound derived from tea. Instead of raising blood pressure, this chocolate actually lowered it modestly.

The authors speculate that using a 90 percent cacao chocolate might have produced more striking results on attention, but worried that it might not be palatable to the young adults participating in the trial. Perhaps the next trial will be aimed at finding out how to strike a balance between the ideal amount of cacao compounds for physiological and cognitive benefits and the appropriate amount for a delicious treat.

What proportion of cacao do you prefer in your chocolate? Let us know.

NeuroRegulation, vol. 2, no.1, 2015