Many of us are drawn to chocolate when we’re sad, and according to a recent study, a few bites of dark chocolate can actually improve our mood.
Researchers in South Korea found that healthy adults who eat 30 grams of dark chocolate a day are 85% happier than healthy adults who eat chocolate with less or no cocoa.
Thirty grams is about one-third of a 100-gram piece of chocolate.
Analysis of the stools of the study participants showed that the improvement in mood was linked to changes in the gut bacteria as a result of eating chocolate.
However, this only applies to chocolate that contains 85% cocoa (not the beloved milk chocolate). Additionally, it should be consumed in moderation.
Chocolate with a higher cocoa content is generally better because it contains less sugar, fat, and other additives such as colors and palm oil.
Cocoa used to make chocolate is rich in fiber, iron, and phytochemicals, which are powerful chemical compounds. Found in plants, they are known to support the immune system and reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia and arthritis.
The new study was conducted by scientists from Seoul National University.
In their article, the researchers noted, “Dark chocolate has long been known to influence mood, but there is limited data on the emotional impact of consuming dark chocolate on a daily basis.”
They added: “To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide evidence that daily consumption of dark chocolate affects human physical and psychological health.”
The scientists worked with 46 participants. Some were given 30 grams of chocolate with 85% cocoa per day for three weeks, others were given 30 grams of chocolate with 70% cocoa, and a third group did not consume chocolate.
Participants’ moods were measured using the PANAS Positive and Negative Affect Scale, which consists of 20 items, indicating either positive or negative moods.
Participants were asked to rate their feelings on a scale from 1 (little or no) to 5 (very strong) for each characteristic.
To assess the relationship between the mood-altering effects of dark chocolate and the gut microbiome, participants’ bowel movements were also analyzed.
According to a study published in Nutritional Biochemistry, the inclusion of dark chocolate in the diet significantly reduced negative moods in the group given 85% cocoa. This was not observed among those who consumed chocolate with 70% cocoa.
As evidenced by stool analysis, the diversity of intestinal bacteria was significantly higher in the first group of subjects than in the control group.
The group that ate 85% chocolate had higher levels of the gut bacteria, Blautia, which was significantly associated with positive changes in mood.
The researchers suggested that the effect of dark chocolate on mood changes (from 85% cocoa) may be due to changes in the diversity and abundance of gut bacteria.
According to previous studies, the microorganisms in the healthy control group contained more Blautia compared to patients with mental disorders such as schizophrenia.
Additionally, reduced bacterial diversity increases susceptibility to many diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, depression and anxiety disorders.
Chocolate with a higher cocoa content is generally better because it contains less sugar, fat, and other additives such as colors and palm oil.
Cocoa used to make chocolate is rich in fiber, iron, and phytochemicals, which are powerful chemical compounds. Found in plants, they are known to support the immune system and reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia and arthritis.
The new study was conducted by scientists from Seoul National University.
In their article, the researchers noted, “Dark chocolate has long been known to influence mood, but there is limited data on the emotional impact of consuming dark chocolate on a daily basis.”
They added: “To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide evidence that daily consumption of dark chocolate affects human physical and psychological health.”
The scientists worked with 46 participants. Some were given 30 grams of chocolate with 85% cocoa per day for three weeks, others were given 30 grams of chocolate with 70% cocoa, and a third group did not consume chocolate.
Participants’ moods were measured using the PANAS Positive and Negative Affect Scale, which consists of 20 items, indicating either positive or negative moods.
Participants were asked to rate their feelings on a scale from 1 (little or no) to 5 (very strong) for each characteristic.
To assess the relationship between the mood-altering effects of dark chocolate and the gut microbiome, participants’ bowel movements were also analyzed.
According to a study published in Nutritional Biochemistry, the inclusion of dark chocolate in the diet significantly reduced negative moods in the group given 85% cocoa. This was not observed among those who consumed chocolate with 70% cocoa.
As evidenced by stool analysis, the diversity of intestinal bacteria was significantly higher in the first group of subjects than in the control group.
The group that ate 85% chocolate had higher levels of the gut bacteria, Blautia, which was significantly associated with positive changes in mood.
The researchers suggested that the effect of dark chocolate on mood changes (from 85% cocoa) may be due to changes in the diversity and abundance of gut bacteria.
According to previous studies, the microorganisms in the healthy control group contained more Blautia compared to patients with mental disorders such as schizophrenia.
Additionally, reduced bacterial diversity increases susceptibility to many diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, depression and anxiety disorders.
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