Changes in weight are symptomatic of depression. Weight gain may happen due to overeating and eating more comfort food, such as chocolate. Chocolate has health benefits due to the antioxidant content in cocoa. Since dark chocolate contains a higher percent of cocoa, it has more antioxidants and, therefore, more health benefits. This is why dark chocolate is used in research studies, according to MSNBC.com. Depression research involving chocolate has yielded mixed results.
Negative Effect
The nature of the relationship between chocolate and depression is unclear. However, what is clear is that there is an association between the two. Specifically, Dr. Natale Rose and researchers state that higher consumption of chocolate is related to higher levels of depression in the April 2010 issue of "Archives of Internal Medicine." These researchers used a sample size of 1,018 adults, with approximately twice as many men as women, and found that this true of both men and women.
Temporary Effect
Eating dark chocolate when depressed can provide a short-term boost in mood. In the June 2006 issue of "Journal of Affective Disorders," Gordon Parker and colleagues state that chocolate consumption can work as an anti-depressant by reducing feelings of depression. However, this effect is temporary and usually lasts long enough to satisfy a craving. In the long run, eating chocolate frequently in an attempt to self-medicate actually prolongs depression, according to this study.
Hysteroid Dysphoria
Chocolate may be used as an attempt to combat feelings of depression and increase mood. This is especially true of people with hysteroid dysphoria, an uncommon type of depression. Periods of depressed mood that occur with hysteroid dysphoria are triggered by perceived rejection and accompanied by cravings for sweets. In the August 1987 issue of "Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease," Marjorie Shuman and colleagues found that subjects with personality traits suggestive of this particular type of depression were significantly more likely to self-medicate with chocolate. Compulsive eating in general was more likely among women than men.
Coping
Coping with depression by self-medicating with chocolate is not a healthy way to deal with depression. In addition to antioxidants, chocolate is full of sugar and can be fattening. To feel better, positive changes in eating habits may help, such as maintaining a proper diet and drinking plenty of water. Overeating while depressed may increase feelings of guilt, a common symptom of depression. Weight gain may also increase guilt as well as negative feelings about yourself.
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