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Science/Tech See other Science/Tech Articles Title: Chocolate, wine and tea can boost brain power Eating chocolate and drinking wine and tea can improve your memory, according to a new study. Researchers discovered that wine has the most pronounced effect in boosting people's memory, followed by chocolate and tea. And those who regularly consume all three in modest amounts were found to perform best when asked to carry out a series of brain tests. However, those hoping to use the findings as justification for gorging on chocolates and enjoying a generous tipple over Christmas will be disappointed. The study also discovered that the positive effects levelled out after just half a glass of wine and only four squares of chocolate. The researchers from Oxford University examined the effect of the three foodstuffs on cognitive performance among elderly people. Chocolate, wine and tea are thought to improve cognitive ability because they all contain micronutrients called flavonoids, which research has suggested can lower risks of dementia. Experts from Oxford University's Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, said their findings appear to support the theory, although they warned that they could not rule out that it could be another aspect of the foods studied which made the difference. Working with colleagues from the Universities of Oslo and Bergen in Norway, the team studied how chocolate, wine, and tea affected 2,031 people aged between 70 and 74. The participants filled in questionnaires about their diets and then carried out a series of cognitive tests. Those who regularly drank moderate quantities of wine scored better in all six tests than those who abstain. Chocolate eaters also had "significantly" better results in the tests than non-consumers, while tea drinkers achieved better scores in four of the tests. However, Oxford University Professor David Smith said brain power was only boosted by the three foodstuffs when consumed in small amounts. He said: "What we have shown is that foods rich in flavonoids can improve the function of the brain. "Depending on how much they had consumed they got better results, although it did plateau with four squares of dark chocolate a day - about 10g. "The plateau was about half a glass a day for wine and with tea it went up to about four or five cups. "The exciting thing was that people who consumed all three did even better and had least likelihood of being cognitively impaired. "These doses could certainly help, that's the implication of this study, but no more than the amounts described." The researchers warned people not to use the research to binge drink in the hope of improving their memories. They stressed that while moderate alcohol consumption is associated with better cognitive function and reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, heavy alcohol intake could be a cause of dementia and other health problems.
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