Want to be smarter? Eat this!

Most of us are constantly looking for ways to boost our brainpower, especially if we're in or nearing retirement.

Thankfully, several foods we eat are not only delightful to the palate, they boast properties that aid in cognitive function and enhance memory.

While there's a plethora we could name, I'd like to focus in this post on one treat in particular many of us -- no matter our age -- can't seem to get enough of: Chocolate!

Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, dark chocolate is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. It is rich in iron, fiber, copper, magnesium, and manganese, plus other minerals advantageous to your brain health.

A few years back, a research team at Harvard studied the effects of cocoa -- in particular, flavanol, a natural compound in cocoa beans -- in 60 people ranging from 67 to 77 years of age.

They were instructed to drink hot cocoa twice a day for an entire month. As it turns out, the chocolate appeared to boost the brain's blood supply, providing it with more fuel for the work that it does.

A similar study of healthy volunteers demonstrated that eating high-flavanol cocoa for five days improved blood flow to the brain.

Cocoa may also significantly improve cognitive function in elderly people with mental impairment. With stimulants like caffeine and theobromine, it has been proven to aid in verbal fluency.

So there you have it. Next time you want to reach for a yummy treat that also offers a myriad of health benefits that extend well beyond brain health -- from lowering blood pressure to reducing heart disease -- indulge in dark chocolate!

Just don't overdo it, though, as this needs to be consumed in moderation to work its magic. A small, 1.6-ounce piece a day should do the trick.

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