New research suggests that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help seniors maintain healthy brain function, keeping their thinking skills sharp.

The study was published this week in an online issue of the American Academy of Neurology’s medical journal, Neurology.

Sixty seniors, with an average age of 73 and who did not have dementia, were involved in the study. Participants drank two cups of hot cocoa a day for 30 days. No other chocolate was consumed during the study. Throughout the process they were given various tests to analyze memory and reasoning skills. Ultrasounds tests were used to measure blood flow to the brain during these tests.

According to study author Farzaneh A. Sorond of Harvard Medical School and a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the work will provide insight into blood flow in the brain and its effect on thinking skills.