Chocolate (dark)
Dark chocolate contains cocoa flavanols and small amounts of caffeine and theobromine. Short-term trials link cocoa flavanols to modest improvements in blood-flow, blood pressure, and some measures of mood and cognition, and epidemiology associates moderate intake with cardiovascular benefit. Benefits depend on flavanol content, and commercial chocolate’s sugar and calories can offset them.
Too little may be associated with
No deficiency; missed minor mood lift.
Too much may be associated with
Excess sugar and calories; caffeine sensitivity.
Informational only — not medical advice.
Neurotransmitters
Related
Research (5)
- Childhood obesity, sugar, and Early Childhood Caries: the sweet trap Colombo et al. (2024)
- Molecular targets of caffeine in the central nervous system Bhardwaj et al. (2024)
- Food and mood Ottley (2000)
- Chocolate: food or drug? Bruinsma et al. (1999)
- Serotonin, carbohydrates, and atypical depression Møller (1992)
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