红葡萄酒和巧克力可以提高大脑的思维能力

It's the perfect excuse to have that extra glass of red wine and spoonful of chocolate dessert - research has shown that ingredients in both might make you brainier.

Two studies have shown that polyphenols in both wine and chocolate increase the blood flow and oxygen to the brain that in turn could boost its power - especially in the elderly.

And the researchers believe that taking them together could be even more effective.

The team at Northumbria University first tested the effects of wine.

They set around 75 volunteers a series of maths tests before giving them a pill of the polyphenol resveratrol found in wine or a dummy tablet.

A scan to the brain showed that they had "significantly higher" blood flow to the brain after they had the resveratrol pill.

Early tests showed some improvement in cognitive ability although this was not always conclusive.

A further study gave 24 volunteers tests after giving them a pill of polyphenols from cocoa plant, the main ingredient from chocolate.

Again they showed increased blood flow and this time they have increased accuracy and speed at carrying out the maths tests.

Emma Wightman and Crystal Haskell, Northumbria University who carried out the tests believe that the combination of polyphenols would be the most effective.

Miss Wightman, a psychologist, said that in theory the extra blood flow should boost the brain especially in the elderly.

"There is a natural reduction in blood supply around the brain as people get older so anything that increases it should have a positive effect," she said.

"Our tests were on young students whose cognitive abilities would be at their peak. They are less likely to see an improvement. We are now carrying out studies on older volunteers."

At the moment the doses of polyphenols are very high - equivalent to crates of wine or hundreds of chocolate bars - but the researchers are looking at the effects of ever smaller quantities.

The research was presented at the British Psychological Society's annual conference in Glasgow. - By Richard Alleyne,06 May 2011

Studies have shown that polyphenols which is found in both wine and chocolate could boost your brain power Photo: ALAMY