Fibromyalgia Pain Relief Tip #25: Yes, Indulge in Dark Chocolate

Did you know that the benefits of chocolate on health dates back to ancient Aztec times? Back then, the seeds of Theobroma cacoa tree, or the cocoa tree, were crushed and made into a sacred drink which is believed to strengthen a person, prevent fatigue and provide enough energy for a person for the entire day.

Modern research has also found chocolate to be one of the superfoods of today. In particular, chocolates helps in the production of two feel good hormones, endorphin and serotonin which are essential for mood, sleep and pain regulation and hence can benefit fibromyalgia. Dark chocolate contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid for the body to make serotonin, a hormone found to be lacking in fibromyalgia patients. Dark chocolates are also rich in flavanol which has antioxidant properties and protects the body from damage done by toxins within the body.

However, to reap the benefits of chocolates, make sure you only consume dark chocolates with a minimum of 70 percent of cocoa content because cocoa is the ingredient that provides the anti-oxidizing properties and pushes the production of feel good chemicals in our body. Milk or white chocolate on the other hand have little cocoa content and much more sugar and milk in them. It is also important to not overdo dark chocolate as it does contain caffeine and is still considered a high calorie food. We recommend a maximum of 1 ounce of dark chocolate a day and go for organic dark chocolates whenever possible.

Related Link: Fibromyalgia Pain Relief Tip #24

1. British Broadcasting Corporation. Science & Nature, Hot Topics: The Science of Chocolate. 2002. Accessed March 13, 2006 from: http:// www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/chocolate and http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/ chocolate/addictive2.shtml.
2. The Field Museum, Chicago. Chocolate: The Exhibition. 2002. Chocolate Quotations. Accessed March 13, 2006 from http:// www.fieldmuseum.org/chocolate/education_pdf/ quotes.pdf
3. Benton D, Donohoe RT. 1999. The effects of nutrients on mood. Public Health Nutr. Sep;2(3A):403-9.