Scientific Evidence Sheds Light On "Chocolate Cure" For Stress

November 11, 2009 3:17 p.m. EST

Vevey, Switzerland (AHN) - New research is shedding light on the anecdotal "chocolate cure" for emotional stress. According to a new study 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.

Details of the clinical trial are published in the new Journal of Proteome Research. The clinical trial found that the treat originating from the cocoa plant can corrected stress-related biochemical imbalances.

Resarchers reviewed the metabolic effects and found that antioxidants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions.

Scientific evidence in the study identified reductions in stress hormones and other stress-related biochemical changes in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed and ate dark chocolate for two weeks.