According to a study by the Universities of Clarkson, in New York, Wisconsin and Oregon, all three in the USA, drinking a mixture of coffee and cocoa helps activate the mind and promotes concentration.
What coffee brings
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, making us more alert and improving concentration and attention. In addition, it favors the ability to process language.
And what the cocoa adds
The flavonoids it contains increase cerebral blood flow, which provides the brain with more oxygen and improves the ability to reason and learn. On the other hand, it has theobromine, which acts in a similar way to caffeine, improving alertness and cognitive performance. But, in addition, cocoa helps relieve anxiety that caffeine can cause in some people.
This is the perfect mix
- Ingredients. Add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to about 100 ml of coffee and mix well.
- When. Take it about 90 minutes before you need your brain to be activated to study, work …
Data to take into account
- Prevention. Various studies suggest that regular coffee consumption helps prevent Alzheimer's.
- Insomnia. Coffee can cause nervousness and disturb sleep (key, too, for concentration). The recommended amount is not to exceed 3 cups a day and it is better to take it in the morning, never before going to rest.
- Caution. Avoid drinking coffee on an empty stomach because it can irritate your lining and that of your intestine.
- Pure cocoa. To get the most out of the benefits of cocoa, choose one that is pure, defatted, without sugars or flours.
- Recommendation. Each tablespoon of cocoa has about 20 kcal. If you watch your weight, skip the milk and sugar.
And don't forget to take care of your entire diet …
As beneficial as coffee and cocoa may be for concentration, we cannot forget that there are no miracle foods and that we have to take care of the diet in its entirety. For our intellectual performance to be good, we must follow a varied and complete diet in iron, omega 3, vitamin B12, iodine and zinc.
And if you have more questions about what you eat, take a look at all the articles in this nutrition office.
