Non-randomised trial, 2015
Does dark chocolate reduce PMS symptoms?
Yes, eating dark chocolate daily for 2 weeks before menstruation reduced most PMS symptoms including anxiety, fatigue, and cramps in this small study. However, acne slightly worsened.
What they did
30 women aged 18-22 with PMS ate 20 grams of dark chocolate every day for 2 weeks before their period. Before and after, they completed questionnaires about their PMS symptoms.
What they found
Anxiety symptoms decreased significantly. Fatigue, cramps, bloating, diarrhea, headache, back pain, appetite changes, muscle or joint pain, and concentration problems all improved. Acne complaints increased from 73.3% to 76.7%.
What it means for you
Dark chocolate may help with many PMS symptoms in young women. However, this was a small study without a comparison group, so results may not apply to all women. The increase in acne should be noted.
30
women studied
20 grams
dark chocolate per day
2 weeks
duration before menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- Black Chocolate Consumption Reduces Subjective Symptoms in 18-22 Years Old Females with Premenstrual Syndrome
- Authors
- Eliza Nurazizah, Fen Tih, Winny Suwindere
- Journal
- Journal Of Medicine & Health
- Year
- 2015
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- Participants
- 30
- What was tested
- 20 grams of dark chocolate daily for 2 weeks before menstruation
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.28932/jmh.v1i1.502
Topics
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