People have been enjoying chocolate for centuries. One of the reasons for its popularity is not just the taste; many people also feel it improves their mood. It’s not unusual for someone to crave chocolate after going through a stressful day, or any anxiety-provoking event, such as a romantic break-up.
Studies of cocoa, which chocolate is made from, show that it is a rich source of polyphenols. These compounds have been studied for their health benefits for many years. However, there have only been a few studies on whether eating chocolate can improve a person’s mood. One study had participants consume a drink containing generous amounts of dark chocolate and compared it to a group that drank a placebo. The group that drank the dark chocolate reported significantly higher calmness and contentedness scores compared to the placebo group. You can read more about this study here. Another study, done with menopausal women, found that daily consumption of 10 grams of 78% dark chocolate had beneficial effects on mild and moderate depression scores.
So, it’s no surprise that many of us desire a chocolate bar or crave a mocha latte during an anxious or stressful time in our life. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, may indeed improve your mood!
If you feel you are experiencing lasting anxiety, depression or feeling sad, be sure to talk to your primary care provider. Many effective treatments are available to help.
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