A new study has shown that consuming small bars of dark chocolate several times a day helps improve mood and provides a feeling of happiness. Researchers at Seoul National University in South Korea found that healthy adults who consumed 30 grams of chocolate containing 85% cocoa three times a day were happier than those who ate chocolate with a lower cocoa content or did not consume chocolate at all.
The researchers believe that the improvement in mood is linked to microbial changes in the gut from eating chocolate, but these benefits are limited to chocolate that contains 85% cocoa, not regular or milk chocolate. The study found that dark chocolate consumption reduced negative mood in individuals who ate chocolate with 85% cocoa, with no such effect noted for those who consumed chocolate with 70% cocoa.
Tests revealed that participants in the first group (who consumed chocolate with 85% cocoa) had a higher level of Blautia, a type of gut bacteria associated with positive mood changes. The researchers state that dark chocolate with a high cocoa content is better for health because it contains lower levels of sugar and fat, as well as fewer additives like colorings and palm oil.
The cocoa used in making chocolate is rich in fiber and iron, and contains chemical compounds found in plants known for their ability to boost the immune system and reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer, dementia, arthritis, heart disease, and stroke.
So far, little is known about the emotional effects of consuming dark chocolate daily, and this is the first study providing evidence that daily consumption of dark chocolate impacts a person's mental and health state, according to the British newspaper Daily Mail.
