Chocolate May Help Protect Against Dementia

According to Kings College London biochemist Dr Robert Williams, a flavonoid found in cocoa called epicatechin is being researched as having a positive effect on protecting brain and body cells against cancer and dementia.

The naturally occurring flavonoids not only act only as antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, but may also delay the onset of illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease:

Central to the development of Alzheimer’s disease is beta-amyloid peptide, a substance normally produced in the brain but which in Alzheimer’s is deposited abnormally.

Williams has shown that flavonoids can protect brain cells against the toxic actions of beta-amyloid.

Dr. Williams says the challenge now is identifying the single flavonoid or combination of flavonoids that exert the most positive effects on brain cells. He’ll be presenting his findings at the British Pharmacological Society’s Summer Meeting in Edinburgh this week. It’ll be interesting to see how this develops!

Don’t go binging on just chocolate, though! Vegetables, fruit juices and red wine are also good sources of flavonoids.

[image: sxc]