Finally there is a good excuse to indulge in a much-loved treat! The “chocolate cure” for emotional stress is now getting new support form a clinical trial published online in ACS’ Journal of Proteome Research. It found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed. This favorite treat also partially corrected other stress related biochemical imbalances.
In the study scientists identified reduc- tions in stress hormones and other stress-related
biochemical agents in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed and ate 1.4 oz of dark chocolate for two weeks. “The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers.“ the scientists say.
Sunil Kochhar and colleagues note growing scientific evidence that antioxi- dants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions. Studies also suggest that dark chocolate may ease emotional stress. Until now, however, there was little evidence from research in humans on exactly how it might have those stress-busting effects.
Medical News Today Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176940.php
Myasthenia Gravis Association of British Columbia 