Le chocolat décrypté

Fact or fiction: is chocolate an antidepressant?

Info ou intox : le chocolat, un antidépresseur ?

Have you ever wondered why you love eating chocolate so much when you're feeling down?

Whether we've been dumped or failed an exam, we've all reached for that little square (or whole bar) of chocolate to make ourselves feel better. And the best part is, it works! According to a 2016 survey conducted at the Salon du Chocolat on 1977 people (enough to fill La Cigale!): 94.5% of respondents admitted that cocoa reduces their anxiety.

And that's when you ask me: "But Jamie, how do you explain this antidepressant effect of chocolate?"

There have been many (and that's an understatement) studies that have tried to establish a causal link between chocolate and fighting the blues. The most popular theories focus on neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitter is the pretty name given to these friendly molecules that allow brain neurons to communicate with each other. And chocolate in all this? It contains neurotransmitters called... Phenylethylamine and serotonin! You probably don't like their names, but you'll love their effects: euphoria, good mood, optimism, stress relief, confidence... The list goes on!

Le chocolat un antidépresseur ?

Much has been written about the benefits of chocolate thanks to these famous neurotransmitters... But you see where I'm going with this, at Chocolat des Français, we're not too fond of tall tales (besides, that's not our department...). However, the amount of serotonin in chocolate is equivalent to the number of successful shots fired by stormtroopers in Star Wars. In other words, there's far too little to trigger any reaction. As for Phenylethylamine, it wouldn't even be able to pass into the bloodstream to reach the brain and produce all those pretty effects. Today, no scientific study can establish a direct link between the presence of these neurotransmitters and the antidepressant effects of chocolate.

But then: how is it that when I eat my chocolate bar, I see life through rose-tinted glasses?

That's because, in addition to being a finely tuned machine, you are also a sensitive being! What happens when you eat a delicious chocolate bar? Even before it reaches your mouth, we look at the colorful wrapper, the beautiful curves of our chocolate bar, we smell the specific aroma of cocoa, and... it already makes our mouths water! All these stimuli will tickle our brain, which will produce endorphins as it gets excited (the little rascal). And endorphins are also neurotransmitters (we're back to that!). The latter helps, in particular, to reduce stress, relax, and facilitate digestion (and getting along well with your digestion is important).

Ultimately, the effects of the substances in chocolate on the body are not (yet?) proven BUT, yes, chocolate is good for your mood! Especially if it's beautiful and smells good; we avoid chocolates that neglect themselves!

Sources

Scientific studies: