According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, approximately 5 percent of adults in the United States suffer from daily headaches. While there are many different remedies for headaches, the caffeine often found in dark chocolate may prevent or reduce headache symptoms for many people. As stated by the Cleveland Clinic, caffeine additives make pain relievers 40 percent more effective.
Headaches
According to the Cleveland Clinic, headache pain is the result of aberrant signals between the brain, blood vessels and surrounding muscles. Overactive nerve cells of the blood vessels and head muscles send pain signals that manifest differently, depending on the person. Headaches have multiple causes and are often caused by inflammation of the throat, ears or sinuses during an acute infection. Other potential causes include stress, medications, substance abuse, depression, tension and underlying medical conditions.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains multiple compounds that may have health benefits, including flavonoids, stearic acid, oleic acid and caffeine. According to the University of Michigan, dark chocolate differs from milk chocolate in that it contains a high amount of cocoa solids with little added sugar. Dark chocolate also contains more caffeine per ounce than milk chocolate. While dark chocolate should not be consumed in excess, up to 7 oz. per week is considered a reasonable intake, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
Caffeine and Headaches
In moderation, caffeine may be an effective treatment for headaches. Between 30 and 70 mg of caffeine is added to some common over-the counter headache medications. As a dark chocolate bar contains approximately 30 mg of caffeine, one serving when combined with a pain medication such as acetaminophen will likely be as effective as caffeine-containing medications. While consuming the chocolate before the headache begins may decrease the chance of a headache developing, you need to be cautious about your total caffeine intake. Utilizing caffeine in large amounts over an extended period of time can cause or worsen headaches as sudden cessation may trigger a rebound effect.
Considerations
If caffeine and over-the-counter medications do not provide substantial headache relief, you should discuss other options with your physician. While headaches are typically uncomfortable but not dangerous, they can represent serious medical conditions in some people. Additionally, prescription medications may provide relief if symptoms are not controlled with caffeine alone. Other methods that may help to prevent and treat headaches include stress-reduction techniques, physical exercise, relaxation techniques and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Member Comments