According to new research by the journal Neurology, cocoa may help prevent memory decline.

The study suggest that drinking two cups of cocoa a day improved blood flow to the brain in those that had problems to start with, according to BBC News. The study also claims that older people may keep their brains healthy by drinking the beverage.

The experts said that more research was needed in relation to cocoa but those who took part in this particular study had improved blood flow and also did better on memory tests.

For this study, 60 elderly people with no dementia with an average age of 73 were instructed to drink two cups of cocoa a day and consume no other chocolate. 88% of those with impaired blood flow at the start of the study saw improvements in blood flow.

"We're learning more about blood flow in the brain and its effect on thinking skills," said study author Dr Farzaneh Sorond a neurologist at Harvard Medical School.

"As different areas of the brain need more energy to complete their tasks, they also need greater blood flow. This relationship, called neurovascular coupling, may play an important role in diseases such as Alzheimer's."

A cup of cocoa a day...