People have that bad habit of denying the fact that they are getting older. But sorry to burst your bubble... A quick reality check suggests that you are not getting younger anymore.

Well, you the consolation that no one else on this planet is getting younger either. We all go through the same process. No one gets a VIP pass or a special treatment. That is just the way it rolls.

As much as you want to remain at your current number, no one ages backwards for Pete’s sake. To not reveal your real age may come off as a routine position, but at the end of the day, the joke is still on you.

The downside is that gaining a few more years tends to degenerate a few traits in a person. It is just unfortunate that of all potential areas to target, it can often be one of the most vital parts of the body--the brain.

Sometimes the aging process leads to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disorder. These are characterized mainly by memory loss and decreased brain function. Now there is a group of researchers focused on how these can be alleviated with the use of no other than our favorite, some sweet and savory chocolate.

Basically, the study involved 90 respondents with ages from 70 or older who were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. They were then divided into three groups with 30 members each who were given high, medium, or low dose of cocoa drink respectively.

The main ingredient in the study was a drink containing flavanols, a group of chemicals that have been shown to lessen the risks of dementia. These can be found in several food stuffs. In this case, it was the cocoa drink. Other sources were temporarily stopped in order to see the effectiveness of cocoa alone. Chocolate saves the day once more. Yay!

The results were drawn from cognitive function tests which showed that those who consumed high and medium does performed downright better than the ones who received less.

According to Giovambattista Desideri, lead author and director of Geriatric Division, University of L'Aquila, Italy, "This study provides encouraging evidence that consuming cocoa flavanols, as a part of a calorie-controlled and nutritionally-balanced diet, could improve cognitive function."

I guess I have given enough sermon in the first few paragraphs. I, for one, am not innocent of hiding my age at times. But honest to goodness, I do not find anything wrong with growing old. I always believed that the older you become, the wiser you are. And the snappy me says that age is just a number. No big deal. Being young is still within you, and how you carry yourself, despite creaking bones and wrinkle lines.

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Joanna Maligaya

Staff Writer/Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

Ever since she can remember, Joanna has always considered chocolate as the ultimate food for her soul. She believes in the saying, “9 out of 10 people love chocolate, and the 10th always lies.”

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