The Link Between Chocolate & the Nobel Prize
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Oct. 10, 2012 — Eat chocolate, win a Nobel Prize?
It may sound far-fetched, but a new study suggests it might not be bad advice.
The results show countries that eat the most chocolate also have the highest number of Nobel laureates per capita.
Researchers say the idea stems from several studies that have shown a group of antioxidants known as flavonoids can improve thinking ability.
Cocoa and chocolate are rich in a subgroup of flavonoids known as flavanols. These antioxidants are also found in green tea and red wine.
Recent studies have suggested that flavanols seem to slow down and even reverse the decline in thinking ability that comes with age.
Some research has also shown that flavonoids can improve blood flow to the brain, which may help it perform better.