> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodconsumer.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Cocoa powder may help Alzheimer's disease - study
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/cocoa_powder_may_help_alzheimer_s_disease_0822130725/
- Published: 2013-08-22T20:24:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:23:58.000Z
- Description: In a human cell model of Alzheimer's disease, cocoa powder extract high in polyphenols activated a BDNF survival pathway and countered neurite damage, an Italian team reports in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. The authors suggest cocoa may help reduce risk.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Food, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Thursday Aug 22, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study published in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry suggests that eating cocoa powder can help prevent Alzheimer's disease or help patients with the disease.

Evidence from previous studies indicates that reactive oxygen species produced at the presence of nanomolar concentrations of soluble Aβ-oligomers cause oxidative stress which is considered as the mediator of degenerative events in many neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease, according to the background information in the report.

Epidemiological evidence indicates that some diets and dietary antioxidants may help prevent neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Laboratory in vitro studies and animal studies have proved that polyphenols are neuroprotective against neurodegenerative disorders although the mechanism has not been extensively studied.

The current study led by Annamaria Cimini from University of L'Aquila in L'Aquila, Italy and colleagues was intended to investigate the effect of cocoa powder extract which is high in polyphenols on a human Alzheimer's disease in vitro model.

The researchers found "cocoa polyphenols triggers neuroprotection by activating BDNF survival pathway, both on Aβ plaque treated cells and on Aβ oligomers treated cells, resulting in the counteraction of neurite dystrophy." 

The results of the study suggest that eating cocoa powder may help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or help patients with the disease.

Doctors say there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, which is believed to affect an estimated 5 million elderly people in the U.S. But research provides evidence suggesting that there is something everyone can do to reduce the risk of developing the disease. (by David Liu)