A nightcap of hot chocolate could keep Alzheimer's at bay

A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease suggests that a nightly cup of hot chocolate could stave off Alzheimer's.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Tests showed that a specific type of cocoa stops clumps of proteins from building in the brain and prevents damage to nerve cells, which causes the disease.

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Dutched, Natural and Lavado cocoas were tested during the study, showing that these cocoas are full of polyphenols, an antioxidant that prevents degenerative brain diseases. Fruits and vegetables also poses these same chemicals, but the Lavado cocoa has the highest levels of polyphenols, and is the most effective at fighting the harmful protein buildup.

The study was preformed by scientists from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, and Dr. Giulio Maria Pasinetti said the study has profound impacts. She said: "We believe our results have broad implications for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and dementia."

The study looked at the gaps between nerve cells which are called synapses. A loss of synaptic function may have a greater role in memory loss than the loss of nerve cells, and fighting the loss of synaptic function may serve as a more effective treatment for an Alzheimer's drug.

In brains with degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, the harmful proteins attach together and block the region between the synapses, which disrupts the memory circuits.

Pasinetti suggested that Lavado could eventually be made into a dietary supplement to combat the degenerative disease, which would be safe, inexpensive and easily accessible to prevent Alzheimer's diseases even in the earliest stages.

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