dark chocolate for periods
The potassium in dark chocolate stops your muscles from retaining water and feeling bloated. Which chocolate is best for periods? One such comfort food that is dear to most women is Dark Chocolate. Cocoa content is important here, because it is a fabulous source of flavonoids – a special class of antioxidants that are the main reason why chocolate is considered such a tasty and healthy treat. I also crave chocolates when I have my period […] Just don’t forget to check the sugar content and calorie intake level in your dark chocolate. Honey is soothing for your body but during your periods, they can increase the internal heat of your body and cause your periods to be heavier than normal. Eating dark chocolate during your period in moderation can actually be good for you. Our articles are resourced from reputable online pages, with research drawn from academic institutions and peer-reviewed studies. This Consumer Health Digest content has been reviewed, as well as checked for facts, so as to guarantee the best possible accuracy. A deficiency of either in the blood results in tiredness, period blues, painful periods and more. Menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea is stiffness or cramps in the lower abdomen that is caused due to menstruation and production of prostaglandin substances that occur during or before menstruation. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. You will notice that as soon as you eat chocolate, you will experience a quick emotional boost. The best chocolate that you should choose during your cravings is organic dark chocolate. In most cases, brown blood during your period is normal. If you have a lot of mood swings during your period then always keep dark chocolate handy. There is a curious relationship between chocolate and periods. This causes low blood sugar. Available in two irrepressible flavours – almonds & sea salt and cranberry. The information contained in this website is provided for general informational purposes only. A study conducted by British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2013) found that that consuming chocolate can help improve your mood, making you feel calmer and more satisfied. The energizing and mood-boosting powers of dark chocolate come from the caffeine present in it and other stimulants, including theobromine and tryptophan – which is a precursor to serotonin, a compound that helps you to feel calm. That is why you may have heard chocolate referred to as the ‘love drug’. &Me’s Period Chocolates are the perfect answer to your period cravings. Dark chocolate is a good source of magnesium, which not only tempers moods swings, but it also helps regulate serotonin—the happy hormone. Helps maintain healthy blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Other ways to elevate your mood during times of PMS or depression are; exercise, using essential oils, massage therapy and other forms of alternative therapy, counseling, and meditation. It’s important to choose wisely when resorting to chocolate. Phenylethylamine (PEA) which is contained in chocolate, releases chemicals in the brain called endorphins. Read Alos: Can Uterus Really Grow During Menstruation? At the first few days of your period you may also notice period blood clots. High levels of stress can wreak havoc on your skin, and as dark chocolate is a stress buster, it reduces skin damage due to stress. Dark chocolate helps lighten and reduce dark spots and pigmentation and keeps skin glowing and healthy. Menstrual pain can be severe enough to interfere with day-to-day activities for a few days every month, particularly in activities at home and in schools for late adolescents. Sometimes a distraction is all you need to help you overcome cravings. That means that chocolate contains saturated and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Let’s delve into the top 7 reasons that make dark chocolate a superfood –. You may be craving chocolate before and during your menstrual cycle because you’re not getting enough fats in your diet. Many women crave chocolate due to its quick fix to your mood and even aches and pains. When you hit a crash in energy in the afternoons, you might be tempted to drink coffee or have an energy bar. We do NOT intend for the information presented through our articles to replace the medical relationship with a qualified physician, nor does it represent specialized advice. It’s undoubtedly one of the most popular foods to eat during your period for numerous reasons. It even plays a part in your socializing. Just watch out for the sugar content in dark chocolates. Dark chocolate has also been found to improve mood by increasing serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain, which are also known as happy hormones. Since chocolate helps release these chemicals into your body to give you a state of euphoria and boost in mood, that could be the reason that you crave chocolate during your cycle. Magnesium is another chemical that your body needs to maintain your health and wellbeing. Chocolate can have positive effects on your emotions. Dark chocolate contains vitamin A, B1, C, D and E. In addition, it also contains antioxidants of phenol and flavonoids, rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, a little omega 3 and 6, and high magnesium which can reduce menstrual and premenstrual pain in women. Menstrual cramps are every woman’s nightmare, and dark chocolate can be considered as a panacea for treating these cramps. It also helps reduce other stress related biochemical changes as well as the “fight-or-flight” hormones known as catecholamines in highly stressed people. There are a few reasons why chocolate and periods seem to go hand in hand. All this said and done, psychologists advise against falling into the habit of finding comfort from food or turning to it in emotional times. It is a natural energy elevator that contains caffeine and will increase your endorphins to give you a quick boost. The following reasons will go into details of why this is the case. It’s important to choose wisely when resorting to chocolate. Women who crave chocolate during the perimenstrual phase are experiencing this craving when both levels of estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest—not when they are changing. Flavanols present in dark chocolate are proven to play a role in chocolate’s mood-boosting effects. This could indicate that some of your old uterine lining (your endometrium) wasn’t expelled in the previous period. Like mentioned earlier in the article, serotonin and endorphins can help boost your mood. 4. To get the serotonin boost, stick with chocolate that's 60% cacao or higher. With the good amount of the magnesium, dark chocolate known … Dark chocolate contains high levels of potassium, an awesome mineral and electrolyte responsible for regulating sodium levels and promoting water balance around the body. If you’re facing a medical emergency, call your local emergency services immediately, or visit the nearest emergency room or urgent care center. Dark chocolate Intense chocolate cravings are extremely common at […] Dark chocolate is best for getting the healthy fats that you need for your body. It is because it has vitamins and minerals like iron, copper, protein, vitamin E, calcium, and other nutrients that help in regulating the blood flow during periods. Try … Be mindful of your surroundings and all the benefits that nature does to your body, mind, and soul. You might wonder why does dark chocolate have an upper hand when compared with normal chocolate? 3 – When you have high blood pressure: Many people believe that eating chocolate (dark chocolate) … If the benefits weren’t already enough, it turns out that dark chocolate is also an excellent source of iron and can help you improve your blood haemoglobin levels. The hips, abdomen and thighs can feel sore during periods and magnesium traces in dark chocolate can help considerably to relieve the pain. Dark chocolate is considered effective in reducing menstrual pain. The reason is that chocolate is a rich source of an alkaloid called theobromine which stimulates your central nervous system and accentuates pain and discomfort. A 100 g serving of good quality dark chocolate (70-85% cocoa solids) has almost 11.9 mg of iron. Note: Results may vary about any product effectiveness. Do you wonder why this is the case or if it’s even good for you? Still, there are benefits to having a little chocolate (especially dark chocolate) around your period. Flavonoids in chocolate help in reflecting harmful UV rays off your skin, preventing sunburn and diseases like skin cancer. The feedback form on this page can be used to report content that is not accurate, up-to-date or questionable in any manner. Other ways that you can help your body release serotonin and endorphins; aromatherapy; especially using vanilla and lavender, eating ginseng, exercise, sex, laughter, listening to music and eating spicy foods. Endorphins can make you feel euphoric and can even reduce your perception of pain. Well, although milk chocolate may taste great, it’s not really as good for you as dark chocolate is. This is a very healthy combination for women who feel exhausted during their period--iron in dark chocolate will help combat tiredness, magnesium will help relax aching muscles, and the healthy fats provided by nuts will prevent the muscles from cramping. Chocolate helps release this chemical in your brain which makes you feel good. We’re unable to offer personal health advice, but we’ve partnered with JustAnswer who offers on-demand doctors to answer your medical questions 24/7. Loaded with antioxidants, dark chocolate is a great comfort food. Studies show that only 25% of U.S. adults get the recommended daily amount of magnesium required for their bodies a day. As a woman, you need approximately 310-320 milligrams of Magnesium to maintain your health. Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants that can help your body's inflammatory response fend off … Dark chocolate can help boost nitric acid levels, which can help control blood pressure, and its antioxidant properties can neutralize free radicals, which cause cell damage and might even cause cancer. High quality dark chocolate, made from the seeds of the cocoa tree and raw cacao, are high in antioxidants and other nutrients. Get out into nature for hikes, bike rides and runs. That’s the good news. Quality over quantity goes a long way. In addition, dark chocolate also contains serotonin, which is an antidepressant that can elevate your mood. Evan Jensen is a renowned American Nutritionist, Diet Expert and health writer. It is safe to conclude that dark chocolate has a plethora of benefits, especially for a woman on her period, if consumed in a limited quantity. Can Uterus Really Grow During Menstruation? When you crave chocolate during your period, it could mean that you are deficient in Magnesium. Dark chocolate has a low amount of sugar present in it and it's way healthier than your regular chocolate. Chocolate, when consumed in moderation, seems to be good for cardiovascular health in general. This old uterine lining is expelled at the beginning of the period and appears like dark brown or black period blood. Certain foods can regulate your periods and stabilize your hormones naturally. Studies show that almost half of women in America crave chocolate during their periods. Why period blood varies in color. Dark chocolate may help because it provides a dose of magnesium. Thus, even if dark chocolate is beneficial, it isn’t recommended to over indulge in it or get addicted to its use. Studies say eating dark chocolate with a slightly lower count in sugars but higher in cacao beans can improve your mood swings, cramp and iron levels throughout the duration of your period. It’s really useful to have this jar full of chocolate chips, particularly dark ones as they are healthier than regular chocolate chips. This can further aggravate your menstrual cramps. This is where chocolate comes in play; eating dark chocolate during periods can help you feel better, thanks to its ability to regulate serotonin. Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. © 2003-2021 All Rights Reserved. Chronic inflammation keeps your skin prone to permanent damage. Chocolate is high in chemicals like serotonin, endorphins, magnesium, and antioxidants which can elevate your mood, ease menstrual symptoms and even put you in a state of euphoria. Dark chocolate is enriched with minerals that increase cell regeneration and healing. They can be an excellent source of magnesium and can help by regulating your mood swings. Dark chocolate is a good source of magnesium, which not only tempers moods swings but also helps regulate serotonin—the happy hormone. All trademarks, registered trademarks and service-marks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners. Milk chocolate does contain cocoa solids but it’s often diluted with milk solids, plenty of sugar and cream. This type of chocolate will relax your muscles as it contains magnesium, omega-3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to this websites published terms of use and all site policies. High-quality dark chocolate which is at least 70% cocoa is the best choice.