Dr Michael Mosley has revealed the delicious treats that could help plug you out of the afternoon slump. What’s more, tucking into the small foods could also offer major health benefits.
Speaking on hist Just One Thing podcast, the health guru explained that making small changes to your daily routine could have big benefits for your work performance.
The doctor advised going for an early morning walk, having a cold shower, taking regular breaks and drinking plenty of coffee to boost your energy levels throughout the day. However, he also recommended a surprising snack.
Dr Mosley explained that eating “small portions” of nuts and dark chocolate could benefit short-term memory, fluency and attention.
The health guru recommended reaching for the snack if you find you are “flagging” during an afternoon meeting.
The recommended portion size is 15 to 30 grams of nuts and two pieces of dark chocolate. While that may not sound like a lot of food, the amount could offer massive benefits, according to Dr Mosley.
He said: “Like coffee, both nuts and dark chocolate are high in polyphenols and have beneficial cognitive effects, such as boosting short-term memory, fluency and attention.”
Dr Mosley added the “right amount” of nuts and dark chocolate can also carry other longer-term benefits. Nuts have been shown to improve energy levels, reduce the risk of cancer and diabetes, and even slow down the ageing process.
Dark chocolate could improve the elasticity of your blood vessels, insulin sensitivity and cholesterol levels in women with type 2 diabetes.
In a previous interview with Express.co.uk, Laura Southern, nutritional therapist at London Gynaecology, explained the reason why the treat can be potent for your energy comes down to the antioxidant content that can help reduce inflammation and increase brain function. The fact that chocolate also contains some caffeine doesn’t hurt either.
Southern said: “Chocolate contains caffeine which is a stimulant and can increase focus, alertness and therefore energy levels.” Furthermore, the snack is also rich in magnesium which helps to facilitate communication between brain cells. This can contribute to improved cognitive function, mood regulation, and even stress reduction.
