More chocolate consumption may increase your mood and decrease your odds of depressive symptoms, a new study has shown.
The research, led by Dr Sarah Jackson, of University College London's department of behavioural science and health, found of those who participated and reported chocolate consumption in the highest quartile (104-454 grams per day), 57 percent had lower odds of depressive symptoms than those who reported no chocolate consumption.
The study of 13,626 participants, all aged over 20-years-old, found significantly lower odds of depressive symptoms were also observed among those who reported consuming dark chocolate.
"These results provide some evidence that consumption of chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, may be associated with reduced odds of depressive symptom," Dr Jackson says.
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"Further research capturing long-term chocolate consumption and using a longitudinal design are required to confirm these findings and clarify the direction of causation".
It was important however to note that chocolate was not a cure for depression.
Dr Jane Morris, a consultant psychologist at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said while the research suggests an association with depressive symptoms, "It doesn't suggest that chocolate is a cure for depression".
Newshub.
