Dark chocolate beats depression

Dark chocolate positively affects mood and relieves depressive symptoms.

Dark chocolate beats depression
Dark chocolate beats depression

by University College London

Main titles

  • People who consumed dark chocolate in the space of two 24 hour periods were 70% less likely to report depressive symptoms than people who hadn't eaten chocolate at all.
  • According to the World Health Organization, depression affects 300 million people worldwide, and is the leading cause of disabililty.

“Should a causal relationship demonstrating a protective effect of chocolate consumption on depressive symptoms be established, the biological mechanism needs to be understood to determine the type and amount of chocolate consumption for optimal depression prevention and management.” - Dr Sarah Jackson

dessert

  • Chocolate has been known to contain psychoactive ingredients, similar to cannabis.
  • Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a neuromodulator essential in regulating moods.
  • The chocolate itself must be palatable and pleasant for there to be any benefits in mood; the ingredients by themselves are insufficient.
  • Dark chocolate has a high concentration of flavonoids, antioxidant chemicals which have been shown to delay the onset of depression.

Source: ucl.ac.uk