Depression and Eating Chocolate

A new study I was reading states “People who eat more chocolate are more likely to be depressed than people who eat less chocolate.”

My view is some of their findings did not ring true! The study stated –

1. It was not clear if whether people who were likely to be depressed ate more chocolate – or whether the chocolate made them depressed?

2. Chocolate consumption (short term) makes us feel better – but how is the mood?

3. Study participants were asked about how much chocolate they consumed per week – but not what kind (dark or milk).

4. A questionnaire was used to ask about mood, sleep and eating habits (what about what was going on in their lives?) By how much they consumed and their habits it was determined if they were likely, possibly or were depressed.

5. Findings were the same for men and women, and 70% of the study was men. The average age was 58.

I feel it was a good study, but; they could not determine it the participants were already depressed. If you feel better does that not mean your mood is good? All sugary products have a drop off when the sugar wears off. But with chocolate it is not the sugar that makes you feel better; it is the increased endorphins that lift your mood. And to have 70% men in the study – men are not use to consuming chocolate like women.

Chocolate helps anyone feel calm and relaxed, and lifts the mood – my vote is that eating chocolate does not make you depressed.