Want to possibly improve your brain power, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, or find an economical sports drink? If you do, chocolate may be an alternative.In an October 2012 article in the New England Journal of Medicine a loose relationship was established between the countries with the highest chocolate intake and the number of Nobel Prize winners. The study concludes that “Chocolate consumption enhances cognitive function, which is a sine qua non for winning the Nobel Prize…” Due to the limitations of the study design, the author warns that there has been no clear cause and effect established by the research.

More rigorous studies have confirmed the reduction of cardiovascular disease and a reduction of the risk of stroke. A Cochrane study also concluded that chocolate had a small but statistically significant impact on lowering blood pressure and yet another recent study supported the effectiveness of chocolate milk as an inexpensive drink to help recovery after exercise.

Despite the many positive effects of chocolate it must be consumed in moderation and recognized that not all forms of chocolate have the same health value.