Without a doubt, chocolate is one of the tastiest foods enjoyed by people around the world, and unless there is a food intolerance or promise involved, it is very difficult to stay away. Besides, it is common to eat this sweet to de-stress, especially during PMS. But one of the big doubts among consumers is whether chocolate relieves anxiety.

Yes, chocolate really calms you down, because it contains substances that favor the production of serotonin, the well-being hormone. In other words, when we eat chocolate, our brain automatically produces the sensation of relaxation and mood improvement.

However, it is important to remember that a great part of the chocolates have amounts of sugars and hydrogenated vegetable fats. Therefore, to have the benefits of the food, the ideal is to consume chocolate with 70% cocoa or more.

Also read: Chocolate in PMS, can it be? Understand for good

Chocolate Relieves Anxiety: Science Explains

To understand the relationship between chocolate consumption and the relief of anxiety levels, professors from the departments of Health (DSA) and Food Science (DCA) from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) conducted a research.

For the study, the scientists relied on 85 chocolate consumers, who participated in several tests. Furthermore, during the research the participants consumed two types of chocolates: one with 34% cocoa (milk chocolate) and the other with 70%.

Then the participants answered a questionnaire describing how their emotions were at that moment. Then they consumed the chocolates.

Thus, the researchers came to the conclusion that regardless of the cocoa content of the chocolates consumed, anxiety levels were significantly reduced.

Furthermore, the analysis also showed that the participants preferred the chocolate with 34% cocoa.

Chocolate Relieves Anxiety: The Benefits of Chocolate

Satiety

A survey conducted by Chung Hsing University Leptin is the hormone that increases our body's leptin levels. feeling of satiety Remember: the more satiated you are, the less likely you are to overeat.

Dark chocolate is a source of iron

The benefits of dark chocolate seem endless. Besides promoting healthier skin and teeth and reducing anxiety, it is a sweet way to increase iron intake. Thirty grams of dark chocolate contains 2 to 3 mg of iron, more iron than in the same amount of meat .

Chocolate Relieves Anxiety and Improves Thinking

The caffeine present in chocolate can stimulate attention, memory, and concentration. Northumbria University The result: those who consumed 500 mg of flavonoids - substances found in abundance in dark chocolate - had the highest number of correct answers.

Controls cholesterol

The antioxidants in cocoa reduce inflammation Thus, it can help lower bad cholesterol.

Prevents aging

Dark chocolate helps neutralize the body's free radicals. When too high, these radicals can cause aging-related cell damage, which is why it is also used in some cosmetics, as an anti-wrinkle treatment, for example.

Reference: Universidade Federal de Lavras