Consuming dark chocolate may temporarily improve vision
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology suggests that consuming a small amount of dark chocolate may temporarily improve vision quality.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology suggests that consuming a small amount of dark chocolate may temporarily improve vision quality. The researchers had 30 healthy adults, average age of 26, eat either a 1.5-oz Trader Joe’s 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate bar or a similar-sized Trader Joe’s Crispy Rice Milk Chocolate bar. Labels were removed from each bar so participants didn’t know what type of chocolate they were eating.
Two hours after consumption, the researchers had each participant undergo vision testing using standard letter-based eye charts. The researchers found that compared to people who had eaten the milk chocolate bar, those who had snacked on the dark chocolate showed “small enhancements in visual acuity and large-letter contrast” on the vision test. The observed change in vision was small, but significant.
The researchers posit that the antioxidant flavanols in dark chocolate might help boost blood flow to the retina, visual pathways, or the brain’s cerebral cortex. However, the study authors stressed that it’s too early for ophthalmologists to recommend chocolate to improve vision. Further testing is needed to examine the duration of the effects and their influence in real-world performance.