A cup of cocoa is not just a sweet treat. Apparently it can even help people who suffer from multiple sclerosis, according to a new study.

The study from Oxford Brookes University and the University of Palermo took a look at 40 adults who were recently diagnosed with the degenerative condition. Researchers gave participants a cup of high flavonoid cocoa powder with rice milk, or a cup of low flavonoid cocoa every day for six weeks. They were then asked to document their level of fatigue and monitored their activity with a pedometer.

Researchers wanted to see the effectiveness of flavonoids, a chemical found in fruits and vegetables that’s full of anti-inflammatory benefits.

The study found that those who received the high flavonoid beverage reported a 45 percent increase in alertness, along with an 80 percent spike in walking speed. They also saw that 11 of high flavonoid drinkers said they saw a small improvement in their fatigue, compared to eight of the low flavonoid consumers.

“Our study establishes that the use of dietary interventions is feasible and may offer possible long-term benefits to support fatigue management, by improving fatigue and walking endurance,” the researchers wrote in a press release.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, an estimated 2.3 million people worldwide suffer from the disease.