UEA Medical School seeking students to eat chocolate

The medical school department at UEA is looking for young men and women to take part in a tasty study.

Scientists at UEA are determining whether age, gender and gut bacteria affects how we benefit from certain food. Researchers will be investigating how we absorb “flavonoids”, often found in plant-based foods such as coffee, chocolate and red wine.

Evidence from the research team, led by UEA Professor of Nutrigenetics Anne Marie Minihanne, suggests that eating food high in flavonoids can improve brain function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Save yourself a trip to the UFO and head down to the Medical School

Around 100 older people have already had a munch. Now scientists are on the look out for 90 people between the age of 18-35 to complete the study. Participants in the government-funded study will indulge in a bar of chocolate and berries with a drink of orange juice for breakfast before heading to the Clinical Research and Trials Unit at UEA for a day of blood and urine sample.

Chocolate-scoffing students will of course be rewarded for their invaluable contribution to science. So far everyone involved in the study has received a voucher for a free lunch and £25.

If you too want to be paid to eat chocolate you can contact the study team on 07818851472 or email [email protected]. For more information head to www.cobstudy.org.