Chocolates That Work Wonders For Your Period Cramps
- By GHBY Team
- 01 Jul 2023
- Verified by Jillian Lai Mei Siew
Key highlights or summary
- Period pains and other associated symptoms are prevalent in most women of reproductive age.
- A lot of women tend to crave chocolates on periods.
- Consuming 60%, 80%, or even 90% dark chocolate bars is healthier than other sugar-filled chocolates.
- Dark chocolates combined with berries, nuts, seeds, cinnamon, mint etc., are a great option as a tasty, healthy, nutrient-rich snack for the craving and to reduce PMS symptoms.
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- Zellner D, et al. Chocolate craving and the menstrual cycle. Appetite. 2004 Feb;42(1):119-21.
- Souza L, et al. Do Food Intake and Food Cravings Change during the Menstrual Cycle of Young Women? Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2018 Nov;40(11):686-692. English.
- Maharani S, et al. "Dark chocolate's effect on menstrual pain in late adolescents." Belitung Nursing Journal6 (2017): 686-692.
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The following reasons are attributed to the chocolate cravings during periods:
- During the menstrual cycle, the stress hormone cortisol and estrogen levels fluctuate. When cortisol levels increase, women become more metabolically charged, and their appetite stimulates.
- Most women with PMS experience a drop in serotonin levels triggering cravings for carbs because the body uses carbs to make serotonin. Simple sugars like chocolates are metabolized more quickly than complex carbs, offering a quick serotonin fix.
- Other research has linked PMS to a state of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, in the second half of the menstrual cycle. The blood sugar drops significantly after 1-2 hours, making them crave more carbs.
Women crave chocolate due to:
- Hormonal fluctuations in women cause decreases in levels of serotonin and are associated with increased cravings for sweet and carbohydrate-rich foods, including chocolate.
- Chocolate contains compounds such as magnesium, which may have a muscle-relaxing effect and can help reduce cramps.
- The pleasurable taste and texture of chocolate, and its ability to stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural mood-lifting and pain-relieving chemicals, make period chocolate the go-to snack.
- Always choose dark chocolate with a higher cocoa content due to its potential health benefits.
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