You know that feeling when you’re in PMS and you think nothing in this world can not help you like good chocolate. You dream of it, you can smell it everywhere around you. You think of chocolate all day long. You can not focus on anything else… Well, that’s not strange. Not at all! Chocolate (but not all sweets) and menstruation are closely related. Chocolate helps reduce the symptoms of PMS, but can also relieve menstrual pain. You do not believe?
Look what we found during the short research!
Ever felt like a massive stereotype when you gravitate towards the chocolate aisle during your period? Well, what if we told you there is science, yes SCIENCE, to justify all that hankering. Believe it or not, chocolate is totally choc-a-bloc with healthy chemicals and nutrients that have the ability to soothe menstrual pain and boost your mood in a big way. So next time you’re stocking up on period supplies, stop looking so sheepish and give in to those cravings – they’re there for some pretty interesting reasons, and if that’s not enough, well, the proof is in the pudding…
It’s going to be okay…
Wanna know the culprit of those awful period cramps? Prostaglandins, that’s what. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances released from the uterine walls during menstruation, causing inflammation and unpleasant contractions. In cases of severe cramps, it’s likely there is a higher level of prostaglandins to blame. The good news? Dark chocolate just so happens to be one of the richest sources of magnesium, an awesome muscle relaxant that basically says “chill” to your uterus. For comparison, 1 square of dark chocolate contains 95 mg of magnesium compared to a medium-sized banana that only has 32 mg!
Here come the happy chemicals!
When we eat chocolate, chemicals known as neurotransmitters are released into the brain, sending signals around the nervous system. These include endorphins, our nifty natural painkillers, serotonin which boosts our mood, and dopamine which gives us a strong sense of well-being. Together these chemicals can give us emotional and physical energy and dampen those menstrual miseries.
Beat the bloat
Dark chocolate contains high levels of potassium, an awesome mineral and electrolyte responsible for regulating sodium levels and promoting water balance around the body. So, if you’re used to feeling bloated leading up to and during your period, eating some dark chocolate can help combat discomfort, so you’ll no longer need (or feel like) a big ol’ hot water bottle.
Iron – Fe-eling Good
Little celebrated and unjustly overlooked for its super high iron content, dark chocolate is a formidable contender to beef with 11.9mg of iron per 100g compared to beef’s paltry 1.66mg. A vitally important mineral, iron assists with the transportation of oxygen around the body in red blood cells. Loss of blood during menstruation is not enough to make us iron deficient or anaemic (except in severe cases) however it can go some way to explaining why this is often our most lethargic and sluggish time of the month.
Sweet Stress Relief
Dark chocolate has been linked to improving cardiovascular health and as an excellent stress-buster. In one Swiss study, researchers determined that eating 1.4 ounces (40 grams) of dark chocolate every day for two weeks had significantly reduced levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in its test subjects. Less cortisol means brain signals of stress are dulled and our perception of stress is significantly lowered. Only the Swiss could find a way to justify gorging on chocolate…
Flava flavanols
Good quality chocolate is super rich in cocoa flavanols, a group of nutrients known for their powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Flavanols help to improve blood flow so can help to alleviate painful cramps and are also linked to increased cognitive activity. Sweet!
Aunt Flo, more like Aunt Glo
For many of us, getting your period means a break out of Shawshank Redemption proportions. And contrary to popular belief, chocolate can be amazing for your skin. Combining the effects of reduced stress, detoxifying nutrients and cocoa flavanols, eating dark chocolate on your period has been linked with improving skin and actually protecting it from UV light.
The best way to attain these benefits is to stick to the good stuff – dark chocolate (the higher the % of cocoa the better) and abide by the age-old rule “everything in moderation”, and no that doesn’t also mean moderation.