Boost the Power of the Brain Essay Example

them individually.

Researchers conducted a study with 24 volunteers to examine the effects of a polyphenol pill derived from cocoa plant, the main ingredient in chocolate. The participants' performance was assessed before and after taking the pill. The results showed a significant increase in blood circulation and improved accuracy and speed on math tests. Crystal Haskell and Emma Wightman, the researchers, suggested that combining these two factors would yield even better results. Miss Wightman, who is also a psychologist, theorized that enhanced cognitive function in older individuals could be attributed to increased blood flow to the brain.

As individuals get older, the blood flow to the brain naturally reduces. Any factor that can enhance this supply is anticipated to enhance the brain's performance. These experiments were carried out on young students who possess superior cognitive abilities, making it challenging to detect noticeable enhancements. Miss Wightman explains that they are presently conducting research on elderly people (Gelb and Howell, 2012). The quantities of polyphenols given during the experiments are considered substantially higher in comparison to the quantities present in chocolate bars and crates of wine.

The researchers presented their findings at a conference in Glasgow held by the British Psychological Society, aiming to examine the effects of small quantities. However, personally, I find their arguments and findings somewhat inadequate. One concern is that the tests were administered on young individuals who inherently possess higher cognitive abilities compared to older individuals. This raises doubt about the effectiveness of these tests on older individuals or if they would yield any impact whatsoever. Furthermore, the results indicate that any enhancements are improbable to be substantial.

It is believed that improving blood supply to

the brains of elderly individuals has numerous benefits due to decreased blood supply as people age. Additionally, the polyphenol pills used in tests have much higher doses than those found in wine and chocolate. If insignificant improvements are seen with high-dose pills, how can we be sure smaller amounts in regular chocolate and wine will have positive results? (Gelb and Howell, 2012).

The assertion, despite attempts to convince individuals of its validity by researchers, remains unsatisfactory. The test results only offer minimal support for it. The study's methodology fails to justify the claims as it solely focuses on high doses and neglects consideration of lower doses. Although the research provides some backing for the findings, I find it insufficient as a reliable justification for the claims. The crucial evidence emerged when older adults who became more active after consuming the doses showed positive outcomes. This response was confirmed by discovering that polyphenols enhance blood flow in the brain, leading to increased oxygen delivery and improved brain activity.

According to a study conducted by Professor Ian Macdonald from Nottingham University, consuming a cocoa drink with flavanols can improve blood flow to important parts of the brain for approximately three hours (Gelb and Howell, 2012). This research suggests that dark chocolate, which contains flavanols, can not only benefit older individuals but also those who are fatigued or sleep-deprived by enhancing cognitive function. To measure the impact, Macdonald used magnet resonance imaging (MRI) to observe increased brain activity in participants who drank a single beverage containing flavanol-rich cocoa (Gelb and Howell, 2012).

This article examines the effect of chocolate on the expansion of blood vessels in the brain, resulting in improved

circulation and increased oxygen supply to crucial areas of the brain. The research findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. However, there is a lack of sufficient supporting evidence for these claims, necessitating further research to validate them. Moreover, smaller quantities of chocolate have lesser impact than larger amounts.

Consuming wine and chocolate by elderly individuals stimulates increased metabolic activities in their brains. This effect is due to the promotion of better circulation of oxygen and blood by these substances, leading to heightened brain activity in comparison to those who do not consume them.