Eating Dark Chocolate Eases Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The severity of chronic fatigue syndrome is significantly reduced by regular consumption of chocolate rich in cocoa liquor or polyphenol, revealed a recent study by researchers from the University of Hull and the Hull York Medical School. Dark chocolate is rich in chemicals that increase signals carried around the brain. Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by extreme and persistent fatigue for six months or more with other problems such as muscle pain, headaches and poor memory.

“In summary, this study suggests that consuming high cocoa polyphenol rich chocolate 15g three times daily has a beneficial effect in improving fatigue and residual function in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome over a period of 8 weeks compared to simulated iso-calorific cocoa mass free/ low polyphenol chocolate,”, the researchers said.

Those with chronic fatigue syndrome are recommended to include small chocolate doses in the diet.

To study this, the researchers tested a group of 10 patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. These 10 patients were further divided into 2 groups. The first group was asked to eat 15 grams dark chocolate with high cocoa content thrice a day. While the other half were given similar tasting chocolate with low levels of cocoa. The patients reported significant improvement in their well being after 8 weeks of follow up. Their scores showed significant improvement on the Chalder Fatigue Scale, a test to measure fatigue levels. These results were published in the 'Nutrition Journal.'

Source-Medindia