Many people enjoy chocolate, but a new study has found that frequent chocolate consumption is linked to depression. More than 900 people were asked how often they ate chocolate. They also filled out questionnaires designed to help doctors determine if patients might be depressed.
The subjects who scored highest on the depression scale, ranking as probably depressed, reported eating nearly 12 servings of chocolate in a month, on average. A serving of chocolate was defined as one ounce, or 28 grams, of chocolate, about as much as in a small candy bar. People who scored lowest on the depression scale also reported many fewer servings of chocolate in a month, just over 5.
The researchers don’t know if chocolate causes depression, if depressed people are trying to make themselves feel better by eating chocolate, or if a third factor is associated with both depression and chocolate cravings. They conclude that further chocolate studies are needed. Volunteers?
[Archives of Internal Medicine, April 26, 2010]
The People's Perspective on Medicine