巧克力與紅酒同食有益大腦能提神
這絕對是個完美的藉口，讓你可以心安理得的在飯後享用甜食，並且小酌一杯。
Research suggests that red wine and chocolate are good for the mind.
有研究顯示，紅酒與巧克力同食有助於提神醒腦益智。
It is thought that polyphenols - plant chemicals abundant in dark chocolate and wines - widen blood vessels, speeding the supply of blood to the brain.
據顯示，在黑巧克力與紅酒所富含多酚類植物化學物質的共同作用之下，可提升大腦的供血速率。
This provides it with a rush of oxygen and sugars, making complex calculations easier and quicker.
同時還更快捷簡便地提供了充足的氧與糖分。
Those who like to indulge will be particularly pleased to know that it is thought that polyphenols are more effective in combination than alone.
那些對紅酒與巧克力欲罷不能的人會非常欣慰的發現，此類多酚組合的效果要優於任意單一的一種。
In other words, having some chocolate with your red wine could be better for you than just having a drink alone.
換而言之，巧克力佐紅酒對於身體的益處遠要比單喝紅酒來得好得多。
The theory follows two Northumbria University studies into the effects of polyphenols on the mind.
英國諾森比亞大學就多酚類物質對大腦的影響作用展開了兩項研究。
In the first, healthy adults set a series of tests after taking a capsule packed with resveratrol, the ‘wonder ingredient’ in red wine.
第一項研究中，健康的成年受測者在服用了白藜蘆醇，也就是紅葡萄酒中富含的神奇成分後接受了一系列測試。
Scans showed a marked increase in blood flow to their brains after taking the supplement, the British Psychological Society’s annual conference in Glasgow heard.
腦部的掃描結果顯示，腦部血流量有明顯的增加。
The supplements did not improve their performance in tests of their mental arithmetic, but this may have been because they were young and healthy.
在補充了該種元素之後，受測者得心算考試成績也有提高，不過這也可能因爲其年輕而又健康的緣故。Greater improvements may be seen in the elderly, said researcher Emma Wightman, because blood flow to the brain naturally decreases with age.
研究人員艾瑪·懷特曼說：這樣的改善在老年人中的表現更爲明顯，因爲大腦血液的流量會隨着年紀的增長而減少。
Unfortunately for wine lovers, the quantities of resveratrol used in the study would equate to drinking ‘crates’ of the stuff.
然而不幸的一點是，要獲取相當於該項測試中相同量的白藜蘆醇，你大概等幹掉幾箱的紅酒。
But it is easy to get the same amounts from supplements sold in health food stores.
不過你卻可以輕易在藥店有售的保健藥品中尋找到白藜蘆醇。
And with resveratrol credited with abilities from extending life to burning off junk food, Miss Wightman says there is nothing to stop people stocking up.
懷特曼表示，白藜蘆醇還有助於延年益壽，並且消耗垃圾食品的多餘熱量，大家應該多多的補充該元素。
She said: ‘There is research showing quite a lot of health benefits and there is nothing to suggest there are any adverse effects. You are not going to come to any harm.’
她說：“研究顯示白藜蘆醇對於人體益處很多，同時也沒發現有任何副作用，不會對健康造成傷害。”
Miss Wightman, a PhD student, also believes that they key may be to take more than one type of polyphenol at the same time.
懷特曼相信，關鍵在於應該同時吸收多種不同種類的多酚物質。
And a study carried out by her supervisor Crystal Haskell seemed to back this up.
一項研究有力的支持了她的觀點。
Dr Haskell put volunteers through similar arithmetic tests but, rather than resveratrol, she gave them a chocolate drink bursting with a variety of different polyphenols.
受測者在進行心算測試之前飲用了富含各類多酚的巧克力飲品。
Not only did they do the sums more accurately after drinking the hot chocolate, they also did them more quickly.
在服用了熱巧克力之後，他們的運算成績更快也更加準確了。
The plant chemicals also appeared to counteract the tiredness brought on by doing the intensive arithmetic.
此類植物化學物質還有效地抵抗了由於密集的運算而帶來的疲勞。
The doses of polyphenols used were equivalent to eating five to ten bars of chocolate a day. But further research may show that lower levels are also beneficial.
不過要攝取相當量的多酚就意味着每天得吃掉五到十根巧克力棒，不過研究也顯示少量的食用也是有益的。
Chocolate’s high fat and sugar content means dieticians recommend it is eaten as part of a balanced diet, rich in less appealing foods such a brown rice, pulses and fruit and vegetables.
巧克力高脂肪高糖的含量只能健康飲食的一部分，同時還應多吃糙米、豆類以及蔬菜，以保持飲食均衡。
