From the cup you have before walking out the door, to the afternoon pick-me-up that you look forward to more than lunch—coffee is an essential part of the day. We know caffeine perks us up, but what if I told you that switching your regular order to a mocha latte could actually help you focus more? I’m not joking.
Researchers at Clarkson University in New York studied the effects of chocolate and coffee on a person’s attention span. What they found is truly amazing for both coffee and chocolate lovers alike. It might just make you change your coffee order to a mocha latte (I know I did).
According to researchers, “cocoa increases cerebral blood flow, which increases cognition and attention” and caffeine is known to increase anxiety. But when you put the two together, the cocoa reduces the caffeine’s anxiety-increasing tendencies and you will be more focused than ever.
Not convinced to switch of your coffee order to a mocha latte yet? Let me convince you some more. Cocoa has a bunch of health benefits including lowering high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes relief.
According to Organic Facts, cocoa is filled with minerals and is a good source of potassium and zinc. While eating cocoa, you’re also getting carbs, protein, and dietary fiber. My takeaway: eat more cocoa because it's nutritious.
The Hershey company sponsored this study because no one's love for chocolate runs deeper than theirs. Little did they know that by connecting coffee and chocolate that'd they'd stumble upon such a groundbreaking discovery. Who knows, maybe Hershey will come up with a new product based on this finding.
Boolani, head researcher of this study, stated his support for getting more mocha lattes. He says, “Cocoa and caffeine are good choices for students and anyone who needs to improve sustained attention.”
If a scientist is basically telling you to drink more mocha lattes, why wouldn’t you? Whether you something to get through your classes or an afternoon meeting, mocha lattes will give you the attention (and caffeine) boost that you're looking for.
It doesn't matter if you like it iced or hot, it's pretty much all the same. Just make sure to make it mocha so that you’ll be getting the added benefits, too. None of that vanilla latte stuff.