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You know that feeling when you\u2019re 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\u2026 Well, that\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n
Look what we found during the short research!<\/p>\n
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\u2019re stocking up on period supplies, stop looking so sheepish and give in to those cravings \u2013 they\u2019re there for some pretty interesting reasons, and if that\u2019s not enough, well, the proof is in the pudding\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Wanna know the culprit of those awful period cramps? Prostaglandins, that\u2019s what. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances released from the uterine walls during menstruation, causing inflammation and unpleasant contractions. In cases of severe cramps, it\u2019s 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 \u201cchill\u201d 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!<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span> Together these chemicals can give us emotional and physical energy and dampen those menstrual miseries.<\/span><\/p>\n 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\u2019re used to feeling bloated leading up to and during your period, eating some dark chocolate can help combat discomfort, so you\u2019ll no longer need (or feel like) a big ol\u2019 hot water bottle.<\/span><\/p>\n 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\u2019s paltry 1.66mg.<\/span> 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<\/span> to explaining why this is often our most lethargic and sluggish time of the month.<\/span><\/p>\n Dark chocolate has been linked to improving cardiovascular health and as an excellent stress-buster. In one\u00a0<\/span>Swiss study<\/span>, 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\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Good quality chocolate is super rich in cocoa flavanols, a group of nutrients known for their powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.<\/span> Flavanols help to improve blood flow so can help to alleviate painful cramps and are also linked to increased cognitive activity. Sweet!<\/span><\/p>\n For many of us, getting your period means a break out of Shawshank Redemption proportions. And contrary\u00a0to 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 <\/span>linked with<\/span> improving skin and actually protecting it from UV light.<\/span><\/p>\n The best way to attain these benefits is to stick to the good stuff \u2013 dark chocolate (the higher the % of cocoa the better) and abide by the age-old rule \u201ceverything in moderation\u201d, and no that doesn\u2019t also mean moderation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nIt\u2019s going to be okay\u2026<\/h3>\n
Here come the happy chemicals!<\/h3>\n
Beat the bloat<\/h3>\n
Iron \u2013 Fe-eling Good<\/h3>\n
Sweet Stress Relief<\/h3>\n
Flava flavanols<\/h3>\n
Aunt Flo, more like Aunt Glo<\/h3>\n