Can Chocolate Cause Seizures In Humans?

If you have experienced recurring seizures over time, this will likely lead to a diagnosis of epilepsy. People with epilepsy sometimes find that certain foods or food groups can increase or decrease the number of seizures experienced. Chocolate may act as a seizure trigger for some, and have no effect on other people. Every person experiences seizures and epilepsy differently, and you should consult your own doctor for advice regarding food choices and seizure control.

Caffeine

According to data from the USDA standard nutrient database, chocolate contains caffeine. For example, dark chocolate, with between 70 and 85 percent cacao solids, contains 80 mg of caffeine in every 100-g serving. A 30-g individual bar of dark chocolate would therefore contain about 24 mg of caffeine. This equates to roughly the amount of caffeine in half a cup, or 4 oz., of brewed black tea. For some people with epilepsy, caffeine can act as a seizure trigger. A 1987 study published in the "American Journal of Psychiatry" indicates that caffeine can also prolong seizures. However, the quantity of caffeine present in chocolate is relatively low, and many people with epilepsy can eat chocolate without experiencing more seizures.

Ketones

Since the early 20th century, some patients with epilepsy have reduced their seizure activity by following a ketogenic diet. For most epileptics, this diet is ineffective, according to Drs. Robert Fisher and Maslah Saul. The ketogenic diet works by strictly limiting carbohydrate and fluid intake, while emphasizing consumption of high-fat foods. This prompts your body to metabolize fat for energy, producing ketones in the process. Ketones are believed to have an anti-seizure effect upon the brain. If you follow the ketogenic diet for seizure control, eating chocolate could provide your body with too many carbohydrates for the purpose of the diet. Therefore, it is possible you could experience a reduction in ketogenesis and an increase in seizure activity.

Blood Sugar and Seizures

The online medical dictionary MedLine Plus indicates that, in some instances, a seizure may be precipitated by low blood sugar levels, or by low sodium in the blood. Therefore, eating regularly to keep up your blood sugar is important for seizure control. Chocolate could be helpful as a quick way to boost your blood sugar levels, if you felt low blood sugar was putting you in danger for a seizure. However, the refined sugars present in chocolate have a tendency to boost blood sugar levels quickly but temporarily. Complex carbohydrates are better for maintaining a steady blood sugar level.

Considerations

There are potential pros and cons relating to chocolate and seizure control. As a sugar boost, chocolate is convenient and readily available when you are away from home. However, chocolate is a high-fat, high-calorie food, and can contribute to weight gain if your overall number of calories consumed in a day is greater than the number of calories you burn. Additionally, many of the anti-epileptic medications commonly prescribed to control seizures can cause weight gain as a side effect. If you wish to minimize medication-related weight gain, it will be helpful to avoid significant chocolate consumption.