Eating dark chocolate linked to lower likelihood of depression in older adults
Quick Look
- Japanese scientists from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology found that older people who regularly consumed dark chocolate were less likely to experience symptoms of depression.
- The study involved 2,957 Nagoya residents aged 70 years and older.
- Those who ate dark chocolate at least once or twice a week for more than two years were 27 to 38 percent less likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to those who ate little or no chocolate or consumed other types of chocolate.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Depression is a common problem among older adults, and scientists are looking for affordable ways to prevent it, including dietary factors. Previous studies have already pointed to the potential benefits of flavonoids found in cocoa on mood and cognitive function.
Regular consumption of dark chocolate was associated with a lower likelihood of depressive symptoms in older adults. This conclusion was reached by Japanese scientists from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology. The work was published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
The study involved 2,957 Nagoya residents over the age of 70, with an average age of 78 years. The researchers assessed symptoms of depression using a scale and asked participants how often and for how long they ate dark chocolate.
People who consumed dark chocolate at least once or twice a week for more than two years were less likely to experience depressive symptoms. Compared to those who ate almost no chocolate, the rate was about 27 percent lower, although the result fell slightly short of statistical significance in the main analysis.
A more pronounced relationship was observed when comparing different types of chocolate. Among chocolate drinkers, those who ate dark chocolate for more than two years were 38 percent less likely to experience depressive symptoms than those who ate other types.
However, the authors emphasize that the study does not prove that dark chocolate directly protects against depression.
Open Questions
- What mechanism could underlie the observed relationship?
- Is there an optimal dose of dark chocolate to prevent depression?
- Does the effect persist over a long-term follow-up of more than two years?
