Q&A: How does chocolate benefit women suffering from depression?

It's rich, savory, and good for your health. Chocolate has a solid reputation for being a mood-lifter, especially after a bad day at work or receiving some unfortunate news, but can it treat serious menopausal depression? Below, an examination of chocolate's components and how they change our brain's production during menopause proves that chocolate is more than just a comfort food.

How Chocolate Works

What makes this delicious treat beneficial for your mood? Technically speaking, it's cocoa, not chocolate, that works on the chemicals of the brain. The amount of cocoa in chocolate usually ranges from 30 percent to 80 percent, with the higher percentages being bitter rather than sweet.

Here's the chemical breakdown of chocolate's most potent ingredients and how they affect your mood.

Dopamine and Serotonin:

These chemicals have several benefits, including their abilities to help you sleep better and decrease the intensity of physical pain. In addition, they increase sentiments of happiness. Cocoa contains both of these compounds, but its potency comes from its ability to stimulate the brain's production of serotonin and dopamine.

Phenylethylamine:

This chemical facilitates the release of endorphins, the natural painkillers produced by the brain, rather than a metal nail file.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors:

These antidepressants slow the breakdown of dopamine and serotonin compounds so that your "chocolate high" lasts longer.

The Catch

In order to reap the health benefits of chocolate, you have to be choosy. Milk chocolate and white chocolate do not count as mood-boosters since the higher sugar and fat content usually makes you crash shortly after eat them. Also, milk contains compounds that inhibit the antioxidants found in cocoa, so eating milk chocolate or drinking milk with chocolate reduces its good-for-you benefits.

Always be mindful of how much chocolate you are consuming per day. According to the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland, eating dark chocolate in moderation (about 1.4 ounces daily) helps reduce the amount of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. However, too much chocolate can actually worsen the symptoms of depression and, of course, cause weight gain.

More Information about Depression

Menopause-related depression can also be treated with exercise, a healthy diet and relaxation practices such as yoga. Click the following link to read more about treatments for depression.

To learn more about Depression