The Efficacy of Cocoa Polyphenols in the Treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by cognition impairment that does not interfere with the usual activities of daily living. It is considered to be a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia. No treatment is available for MCI. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 55 patients (29 males and 26 females, aged 56–75 years) with a diagnosis of amnestic MCI who attended the Center for Cognitive Disorder and Dementia of the IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo (Messina, Italy) between January and December of 2017. As we aimed to evaluate the effect of cocoa polyphenols on cognition, the study population was separated into two groups depending on the change in their Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score at a one-year follow-up. Results: Compared to G2 (i.e., patients with a worsening in cognitive functions), the rate of polyphenol intake was significantly higher in patients without a worsening in cognition (i.e., G1) (χ2 = 13.79, df = 1, p-value < 0.001). By subdividing G1 patients based on whether they improved or were stable at follow-up, we found that 46.2% of those who had improved were treated with polyphenols. Conclusions: Dietary supplementation of cocoa flavonoids seems to reduce the progression of MCI to dementia. Further prospective studies with larger sample volumes are required to confirm these promising findings.

Dietary Habits and Risk of Early-Onset Dementia in an Italian Case-Control Study

“…However, we observed an indication of beneficial effects from moderate consumption of chocolate products, consistent with previous studies [69,70]. Such beneficial effects, if real, may be due to the cocoa polyphenol intake [71] that might slow MCI progression to dementia [72].…”

Acute Intake of a Grape and Blueberry Polyphenol-Rich Extract Ameliorates Cognitive Performance in Healthy Young Adults During a Sustained Cognitive Effort

“…Lifestyle strategies such as nutritional interventions have received increased attention as they provide safe and effective solutions to improve cognitive performance [4]. In particular, dietary polyphenols, plant-derived compounds found abundantly in fruits, vegetables, cocoa, and certain beverages such as tea [5], by involving cellular and molecular mechanisms are able to enhance cognitive functions following acute and chronic interventions in both humans [6][7][8] and animals [9][10][11]. For example, a higher intake of polyphenol-rich foods and beverages was associated with better cognitive functions, including semantic and episodic memory in older adults [12][13][14][15] and middle-aged population [16,17].…”

Molecular Action of Herbal Medicine in Physiology of Erection and its Dysfunction

“…The penis undergoes enlargement due to increased blood flow to the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum. The penile erection involves a complex interaction of vascular, neurological, and molecular factors and is modulated by hormonal factors [15][16][17][18]. In most cases, a penile erection occurs due to sexual stimulation that can trigger inhibition of sympathetic activation of parasympathetic and release of pro-erectogenic neurotransmitters from cavernous nerves [14].…”