Dark chocolate (70% organic cacao) increases acute and chronic EEG power spectral density (μV2) response of gamma frequency (25–40 Hz) for brain health: enhancement of neuroplasticity, neural synchrony, cognitive processing, learning, memory, recall, and mindfulness meditation

Cacao or dark chocolate is a major source of flavonoids. Flavonoids are extremely potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, with known mechanisms beneficial for cardiovascular health. However, the correlates of neuroelectric activity that initiate the mechanisms of cacao’s effects on brain neurocognition, synchronization, memory, recall, mood and behavior are not well known. Studies have shown that absorbed cacao flavonoids penetrate and accumulate in brain hippocampal regions involved in learning and memory. However, neurological initiation and modulatory control from acute and chronic exposure of cacao flavanoids (via consumption) on intensity of kinetic response of brain frequency and specifically beneficial gamma frequency (25–40 Hz), has not been studied. Purpose Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the Electroencephalography (EEG) response to consuming 48 g of dark chocolate (70% cacao) after an acute period of time (30 mins) and after a chronic period of time (120 mins), on mo...