Dark Chocolate Helps to Reduce Depressive Symptoms, Says Research

A recent study found that dark chocolate may help to reduce depression and affect mood. Various types of chocolates are associated with mood disorders. The study is created to examine the depression according to the type of chocolate consumed.

To find the study, the researchers have collected the data from the U.S National Health and Nutrition Examination that assess the nutritional and health status of Americans. According to the research, 13,626 adults have participated in the survey. The participants participated in the chocolate consumption survey was measured against their scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire that assesses depressive symptoms.

The study also considered some of the factors such as marital status, household income, height, education, physical activity, weight, and chronic health issues were also taken into consideration to ensure that the study only measures the effect of chocolates on depressive symptoms.

After adjusting the above factors, it was found that the people who are reporting after 48 hours of eating dark chocolate had 70% of lower odds of depressive symptoms than the participants who had reported without eating chocolate.

25% of the individuals who ate most of the chocolates were also expected to report a depressive symptoms than those who did not eat chocolate at all. Although, the researchers have not found any significant link between clinically relevant depressive symptoms and non-dark chocolate consumption. The depression has affected more than 300 mn people across the world, according to the data.

The author of the study, Dr. Sarah Jackson said that the study offers some evidence that the consumption of chocolate mainly dark chocolate is associated with the reduced odds of depressive symptoms. Though, further research is required to clarify the cause of depression among people.

Jackson further said that there should be a causal relationship to demonstrate a protective effect of chocolate consumption on depressive symptoms. The biological mechanism needs to understand to define the type of chocolate consumption for depression management and prevention.

Chocolate mainly contains several psychoactive ingredients that are similar to cannabinoid, which is preliminarily found in cannabis. Chocolate also contains phenylethylamine, a neuromodulator that is more important for regulating the mood of the people.

The above study shows that dark chocolate has a higher concentration of antioxidant chemicals, flavonoids that help to improve the inflammatory profiles that play a significant role in the onset of depression.