Chocolate Can Increase Brain Blood Flow

Dark Chocolate high in flavanols similar to the bioflavaniods in fruits and expecially grapes can increase blood flow in the brain by increasing more Nitric Oxide.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Cocoa-flavanols-may-boost-blood-flow-in-the-brain/?c=rhc%2BPi6aUoG6qA7rB7r9AA%3D%3D

Source: Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.
Volume 4, Pages 433-440
“Cerebral blood flow response to flavanol-rich cocoa in healthy elderly humans”
Authors: F.A. Sorond, L.A. Lipsitz, N.K. Hollenberg, N.D.L. Fisher

“We show that two weeks of regular Flavanol Rich Chocolate intake, providing 900 mg of cocoa flavanols daily, resulted in a significant increase in peak cerebral blood flow response in the middle cerebral artery.”

Dark Chocolate vs. Milk Chocolate: Which is Healthier

Dark Chocolate has many antioxidants, the antioxidants known as polyphenols and catechins.

The polyphenol families of procyanidins & epicatechins are strong antioxidants also found in many plants and vegetables including red grapes & wine. Proanthocyanidins play a role in the making of collagen & elastin and can lead to a stronger circulatory system. Proanthocyanidins are also shown to speed up recovery from plactic surgery. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proanthocyanidin

Catechins, in particular epicatechin found in dark chocolate, can reduce the risk of four of the major health problems: stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechins

Milk Chocolate has no antioxidant activity due to milk binding the antioxidants. To take advantage of the antioxidant activity of chocolate you need to have 70% cocoa solids and no milk.
http://www.med.umich.edu/UMIM/clinical/pyramid/chocolate.htm