Daily consumption of a cup of cocoa may prevent the development of Alzheimer's , a new study finds.
Tests show that a specific type of cocoa beans stops the accumulation of protein in the brain and damages nerve cells , which can lead to further development of the disease.
Cocoa Lavado is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that can be found in fruits and vegetables. Previous studies have found that these nutrients protect against degenerative brain diseases .
The researchers also tested the beans of other types of cocoa , but found that Lavado had the highest content of polyphenols, which are known to be most effective in combating the accumulation of harmful proteins.
The study, conducted by scientists at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, looked at synapses - the gaps between nerve cells.
Loss of synaptic function may play a more important role in memory loss than lack of nerve cells. In this sense, saving this function may prove to be a more reliable approach in developing an effective drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's .
In healthy nerve pathways, each nerve cell sends an electrical impulse that releases chemicals known as neurotransmitters. They pass through the synapses and transmit the message.
In the brain , which suffers from degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, harmful proteins can fill these spaces between nerve cells , disrupting memory and other brain functions. Scientists believe that Lavado cocoa beans can be used to develop a dietary supplement to prevent the development of these diseases.
The study data are published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease .