Study Connects Chocolate Eating To Nobel Prizes

In the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Franz Messerli of St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital has published a study that shows a significant correlation between a nation's per capita chocolate consumption and the rate of Nobel Prizes awarded to its citizens. Robert Siegel summarizes the findings.

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ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

Here's some science that isn't Nobel worthy, but at least noble enough to make the New England Journal of Medicine. Research by Dr. Franz Messerli finds a correlation between a nation's chocolate intake and its success at winning Nobel prizes. Certain compounds in cocoa have been found to improve cognitive function. And so, in a bit of scientific satire, pointing out the perils of observational studies, Dr. Messerli asks, do chocolate loving countries produce especially functional people? Well, lo and behold, Messerli's native Switzerland is tops for per capita chocolate consumption and the number of Nobel laureates per 10 million population. Whether the laureates themselves eat chocolate, well, that's still unknown.

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Source: http://www.npr.org/2012/10/11/162743651/study-connects-chocolate-eating-to-nobel-prizes?ft=1&f=1007

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