A lot of people crave chocolate when they are depressed, but have you ever wondered why? Studies have shown that chocolate has mood-enhancing effects. Research has indicated that people who are depressed tend to eat more chocolate than those who aren’t.

Research about chocolate was recently conducted by universities in California. Scientists asked more than 900 men and women about their eating habits pertaining to chocolate. None of the participants were on anti-depressants. The questions included, “How much chocolate do you consume on a regular basis? And “How frequently do you consume chocolate?”

In the study the scientists used a commonly accepted depression scale to assess the mood of the participants. What they found was a definite relationship between feelings of depression in the men and women and the consumption of chocolate.

The scientists found that on average, those who were depressed ate about eight and a half servings of chocolate per month. By contrast, those who were not depressed only ate about five and a half servings of chocolate in the same time period.

Those participants that were actually clinically depressed ate the most chocolate of all. They were found to consume an average of nearly 12 servings of chocolate monthly. Although, when asked, none of the participants felt that the chocolate positively affected their depression. For the study one serving of chocolate was one ounce or 28 grams.

Researchers made no attempt to determine why depressed people eat more chocolate. Although, they made an educated guess, they thought the depression stimulated a craving for chocolate, leading the individuals to eat the treat as form of treatment for the disease.

Researchers have found that chocolate has mood-lifting benefits by the release of endorphins. Unfortunately, the process can have a cyclical effect – that by consuming a lot of chocolate, people may feel more depressed and want to eat more chocolate to feel better.

Through this study and others like it, scientists have learned a lot about chocolate its relationship to depression. Further research will likely help us gain more useful information.

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