The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast #247 Chocolate’s Health Benefits with Dr Rupy Aujla
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May 15, 2024 
Dr. Rupy Aujla, a medical doctor, delves into the fascinating health benefits of dark chocolate on brain, heart, and gut health. The podcast explores how cocoa flavonols improve brain function, gut microbiota, and vascular health, highlighting the importance of choosing high cocoa content dark chocolate for optimal benefits.
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Host's Personal Chocolate Habit
- Dr. Rupy Aujla eats chocolate most days and enjoys it with berries or apples.
- He plans a follow-up episode to test chocolate processing, sourcing, and do a live taste test on YouTube.
Dark Chocolate Linked To Better Cognition
- Dark chocolate (high cocoa) appears to improve executive function and verbal fluency in short human trials.
- Cocoa's polyphenols, especially flavonols, are the likely active compounds behind these cognitive effects.
Flavonols Improve Blood Flow
- Cocoa flavonols boost nitric oxide and improve blood flow, which can raise brain oxygenation during demanding tasks.
- Improved microcirculation is one plausible mechanism linking cocoa to better brain and heart function.