There’s a reason dark chocolates is the number one most craved food by women in periods. Not only is it sweet and delicious, it’s packed with healthy chemicals that can give you the boost you need when you’re down on your period.
Reasons why dark chocolate is great for periods –
1. Chocolate reduces stress
When you’re feeling stressed, your body has higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone released by your body.
Swiss researchers found that eating one bar of dark chocolate (1.4 ounces) every day for two weeks lowers levels of cortisol so you feel less stressed and more like your normal self.
2. Chocolate reduces pain
Chocolate can even reduce pain from menstrual cramps. The same hormone responsible for boosting your mood, endorphins are also your body’s natural painkiller.
Endorphins fight pain by reducing our perception of pain so your menstrual cramps feel more manageable. You can cancel your plans of staying in bed all day and get on with your day!
3. Chocolate gives you a boost of energy
Did you know chocolate contains caffeine? Caffeine is a stimulant that can boost your alertness and give you a boost of physical energy.
4. Chocolate is high in Iron
Found in our blood, iron carries oxygen from our lungs throughout our body. Not enough iron and you may feel tired which may be one of the many reasons girls can feel tired during their periods.
5. Chocolate can help relax your aching muscles
Chocolate is high in Magnesium, another essential mineral. Magnesium acts as a muscle relaxant and soothes aching cramping muscles and lower back pain.
It can even lower prostaglandins which may cause your muscles to over contract causing painful menstrual cramps.
6. Chocolate can reduce your muscle cramps
Chocolate is also high in Potassium. Potassium is another essential mineral that allows your muscles to function properly, including your uterine muscles that may cramp up during your period.
If you eat dark chocolate with over 70 percent cocoa, that is. This type of chocolate will relax your muscles, and it also contains magnesium, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids. These will all help to boost your mood without giving you that deceptive sugar high followed by the resulting crash.