{"id":7595,"date":"2018-06-22T14:00:32","date_gmt":"2018-06-22T21:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=7595"},"modified":"2019-06-10T17:39:27","modified_gmt":"2019-06-11T00:39:27","slug":"dark-chocolate-reduces-stress-and-inflammation-improves-memory-immunity-and-mood-but-are-you-addicted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/dark-chocolate-reduces-stress-and-inflammation-improves-memory-immunity-and-mood-but-are-you-addicted\/","title":{"rendered":"Dark chocolate reduces stress and inflammation, improves memory, immunity and mood \u2013 but are you addicted?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"dark<\/p>\n

A press release from Loma Linda University reports that two new studies show dark chocolate consumption reduces stress and inflammation, while improving memory, immunity and mood<\/a>. These are wonderful results from human trials and if you\u2019re like most of us I\u2019m sure this subject brings great delight! However (and sorry to be the party-pooper here), there are a number reasons why you may want to hold back on the excitement: if you\u2019re addicted to chocolate and\/or sugar this is a big red flag, and if dietary oxalates and caffeine are issues for you then this news won\u2019t be good. But there may be ways you can get some of the benefits without the harmful effects (more on that below).<\/p>\n

These papers were presented as posters at the Experimental Biology 2018 annual meeting in San Diego, and the press release reports that<\/p>\n

dark chocolate with a high concentration of cacao (minimally 70% cacao, 30% organic cane sugar) has positive effects on stress levels, inflammation, mood, memory and immunity. While it is well known that cacao is a major source of flavonoids, this is the first time the effect has been studied in human subjects to determine how it can support cognitive, endocrine and cardiovascular health.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Lee S. Berk, a researcher in psychoneuroimmunology and food science from Loma Linda University, School of Allied Health Professions, served as principal investigator on both studies and stated the following:<\/p>\n

For years, we have looked at the influence of dark chocolate on neurological functions from the standpoint of sugar content – the more sugar, the happier we are. This is the first time that we have looked at the impact of large amounts of cacao in doses as small as a regular-sized chocolate bar in humans over short or long periods of time, and are encouraged by the findings. These studies show us that the higher the concentration of cacao, the more positive the impact on cognition, memory, mood, immunity and other beneficial effects [such as enhanced neuroplasticity].<\/p>\n

The flavonoids found in cacao are extremely potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, with known mechanisms beneficial for brain and cardiovascular health.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In these 2 small studies (which have yet to be published in a peer-review journal) the consumption of 48g of 70% dark organic chocolate offered many of these health benefits in as quickly as 30 mins (in one the study) and when consumed every day for a week (in the other study).<\/p>\n

In case you\u2019re wondering how much this means in practical terms: 48 g is just over an ounce and a half, or 2 tablespoons. So think about 2 squares of 70% dark chocolate.<\/p>\n

But are you addicted to chocolate? And do you binge?<\/h2>\n

I know I sounded like a real party pooper in the introduction but if your eyes lit up or you even got a little teary-eyed or felt a really warm \u201cI so deserve this treat\u201d glow or you felt realy joy at the thought of indulging (or maybe all of the above emotions) when you read the subject line then these may be red flag for you. But despair not as there are ways to help you not overdo it and binge on a week\u2019s supply of dark chocolate in one sitting. If you relate to the binge comment you know exactly what I mean and have felt that deep regret and shame afterwards.<\/p>\n

Lorraine shares this about her chocolate addiction:<\/p>\n

the minute I start eating it – I am like a heroin addict. I can’t stop. I end up bingeing for a few weeks as it’s all I can think about. It’s the weirdest thing – so I mainly abstain from it and have a slip, binge, anxiety relapse about once a year until I am able to buckle down and fight the cravings knowing the anxiety is not worth the euphoria.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For some people the anxiety that is caused by chocolate is too severe (more on that below) but if Lorraine\u2019s anxiety and bingeing are related there may be a solution for her and if yes, it would be the GABA solution below.<\/p>\n

The brain chemistry balancing solution for bingeing<\/h2>\n

Cravings for chocolate can often be due to brain chemical imbalances and when these are addressed no willpower is required and there are no feelings of being deprived. Here is a simple way to help you figure it out:<\/p>\n