An article published in the Japanese journal, Nutrition:
“Flavanol-rich cocoa consumption enhances exercise-induced executive function improvements in humans,” by Hayato Tsukamoto (et al.), DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2017.08.017/, conducted a test of the health benefits of high-dose cocoa, versus low-dose cocoa, with exercise, and cognitive functioning tasks.
The results were that ““The present study demonstrated that [high cocoa flavanol] consumption prior to moderate exercise could effectively enhance exercise-induced improvements in [executive function], but not in [memory function], as shown by the early improvement in [executive function] induced by [high cocoa flavanol] consumption compared with [low coca flavanol] consumption. Therefore we suggest that the combination of [high coca flavanol] consumption and aerobic exercise may be beneficial for improving cognitive function.
The present study is the first to demonstrate the beneficial effect of the combination of nutritional and exercise interventions on cognitive function, especially [executive function]. However, the present study only demonstrated an acute effect on cognitive function. Further studies are needed to examine the chronic effect of the combination of [high cocoa flavanol] consumption and aerobic exercise on cognitive function,”
https://www.naturalnews.com/2017-11-01-did-you-workout-today-if-so-have-some-chocolate.html
In other words, the combination of exercise and chocolate consumption improves cognitive function. But’ to get the full benefits, the sugar-free cocoa is needed.
Chocolate has also been found to help in lowering blood pressure and reducing depression and anxiety:
https://www.aarp.org/health/medical-research/info-03-2011/dark-chocolate-can-help-lower-your-blood-pressure.html
https://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/treatment/chocolate
It is difficult to think of a more delightful medicine than chocolate. The conquistadors said that with but one cup, they could march miles.