Chocolate cravings and PMS go hand in hand, but it turns out there’s a good reason. Find out why chocolate can ease period cramps and so much more.
The chocolate-craving woman on her period is such a textbook trope that it starts to feel almost annoyingly cliché. But maybe it’s a cliché for a reason. Truthfully, most of us can relate to that chocolate craving that hits at a certain stage of the menstrual cycle.
However, unlike movies and TV shows have led us to believe, this craving doesn’t stem from an irrational need for comfort and indulgence. In fact, it may be because chocolate is the very thing your body needs to combat difficult hormonal imbalances and soothe painful cramps.
You might chastise yourself for grabbing a bar of chocolate when you feel your period coming, but science tells us there could be some very good reasons why.
7 Ways Chocolate Helps With Menstruation
Menstrual cravings are typically the result of mineral deficiencies and hormonal imbalances that we try to ‘medicate’ intuitively. You might not be aware of the minerals or hormones your body needs to feel okay – but it does, and it will give you clues through the kind of food you crave.
There’s a reason why chocolate is such a consistently popular snack choice for women who’re menstruating. It’s chock full of essential nutrients and minerals that menstruation and PMS cause the body to lose.
The week leading up to your period, your oestrogen levels drop. During your period, not only are you losing essential minerals like iron and magnesium, but your uterine lining becomes inflamed, triggering a flood of prostaglandins – the hormone responsible for causing painful uterine contractions, AKA cramps.
Chocolate contains a surprisingly diverse group of minerals, helping to alleviate the intensity of mood swings and even slow down the production of prostaglandins.
Yes, you’re hearing right. Eating chocolate while on your period is good for you!
Here are seven reasons why.
- Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral that facilitates how our muscles relax and contract. It serves as the messenger between your muscles and nerve endings, telling your brain when to engage or disengage muscles across the body.
People with a magnesium deficiency, or even just low levels of it in their blood, will likely experience chronic muscle cramping, which, as you can imagine, is not ideal for the uterus during menstruation.
For every 100g of dark chocolate you consume, a whopping 252mg of magnesium enters your system. Daily, that quantity is enough to support the regulation of uterine cramping throughout your period.
2. Iron
The loss of blood from menstruation can lead to low iron levels, making you feel tired, weak, and more prone to uterine cramps. For this reason, low iron or iron deficiencies are not uncommon among women between the ages of 13 and 40.
Fortunately for us, dark chocolate contains a healthy dose of iron. For every 100g of dark chocolate you consume, 10.6mg of iron is absorbed by your system. That’s enough to make a difference in energy levels and support better pain management.
3. Cocoa Flavanols
Cocoa flavanols are plant-based compounds found in various foods – namely, dark chocolate (the darker, the better). These powerful natural compounds can boost brain function and reduce irritation triggered by cellular oxidation.
Cellular oxidation happens when free radicals attack your cells, causing fatigue and pain. Cocoa flavanols mitigate the effects of oxidation, thus alleviating physical pain and discomfort.
Another huge benefit to consuming cocoa flavanols is that they can promote the production of serotonin in the brain. For those who struggle with anxiety or depression during menstruation, this can help balance hormonal and mood regulation.
4. Antioxidants and Flavonoids
Another benefit to eating chocolate while on your period is the free delivery of antioxidants and flavonoids you get. These two natural chemicals play an essential role in heart health and circulation, and dark chocolate contains a high percentage of them.
In fact, studies have found that eating chocolate just once per week can reduce the risk of developing blocked arteries by 8%. This is significant for women because flavonoids and antioxidants are needed to regulate healthy blood flow during menstruation.
5. Carbohydrates
Even if you’re taking oral contraceptives, you’re still likely to have carbohydrate cravings when your hormone levels drop. But the carb craving goes beyond just how delicious and satisfying they are. Science tells us we need them to help fight back against premenstrual syndrome.
This is because the brain experiences a rush of serotonin after consuming carbs. This ‘happy’ hormone makes us feel more upbeat and importantly, helps reduce our sensitivity to pain.
You might not think of chocolate as being a carbohydrate, but it actually is. For every 100g of dark chocolate you consume, you intake 46g worth of carbs. This is also why chocolate can feel so filling.
6. Comfort
Comfort food is called comfort food for a reason.
Beyond just the enjoyment of eating something delicious, indulgent, and packed with helpful minerals, chocolate releases dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is another feel-good hormone that makes us feel relaxed, comfortable, and self-assured.
Another comforting aspect of chocolate is its fat and sugar content. Humans have been hardwired to derive pleasure from consuming these two things, which we all know chocolate certainly contains.
Is All Chocolate Good For Period Cramps?
Sadly, no. Not all chocolate is made equal. It’s important to understand the differences so you can reap the benefits without risking more pain, discomfort, or hormonal flux.
The healthiest chocolate by far is dark chocolate (70% or higher cocoa). With its high cocoa, low fat, and low sugar content, it contains all the stuff your body is craving when you reach for a slab. More cocoa means more minerals, more nutrients, and more pain relief.
Milk chocolate and white chocolate, on the other hand, tend to contain much higher volumes of sugar and fat, which may be comforting for a moment, but will ultimately contribute to worsened PMS symptoms. If you’re not yet a big dark chocolate fan, give it a try. The results are well worth it!
