Study: Dark Chocolate Aids Chronic Fatigue

Treat may work by boosting brain's serotonin levels

By Colleen Barry, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 1, 2007 3:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – A daily dose of dark chocolate noticeably improves symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, researchers have discovered. Scientists speculate that the chocolate may boost brain serotonin levels in sufferers, who reported significantly less fatigue when they ate 45 grams a day of chocolate high in cocoa content.

Dark chocolate is high in polyphenols, which have been linked to health benefits such as a reduction in blood pressure. The study involved only 10 patients, but several of them experienced dramatic improvement. Two patients were even able to return to work.

Dark chocolate is thought to boost the brain's serotonin levels. (KRT Photos)

Dark chocolate may help chronic fatigue sufferers feel better. (KRT Photos)

Chronic fatigue sufferers felt better when they ate dark chocolate every day, a new study finds. (KRT Photos)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Malaria Kills Twice as Many as We Thought: Study

Health officials have been undercounting adult victims, researchers argue

(NEWSER) - Health officials have been vastly underestimating the number of people who die of malaria every year, because they've largely ignored its adult victims, according to a new report published in the Lancet . The actual death toll for 2010, according to its estimate, was 1.24 million, nearly twice the World Health Organization's estimate of 655,000. The big difference: The study's count includes 524,000 people age 5 or older (that's 42% of victims), while the WHO only counted 91,000, or 14% of victims. More»

Kids Who Hate Mom Twice as Likely to Become Obese

Toddlers with poor relationships with mom may suffer in terms of health

(NEWSER) - Most parents have gotten an "I hate you!" tossed their way. But if your toddler really seems to mean it, Mom, you may want to figure out how to improve the relationship. A study set to be published next month found that toddlers who were ranked as having the worst emotional relationship with their moms were more than twice as likely to be obese at age 15 than those with a good relationship, reports the Daily Mail . More»

Many Med Students Ignorant on Hand-Washing

2 of 3 rising doctors don't know when to clean hands: Study

(NEWSER) - Doctors are expected to be seasoned experts in all things health, but a new study suggests that medical students aren't always sure when they're supposed to wash their hands, reports Time's Healthland blog . Researchers quizzed 85 German medical students on different scenarios and found that only one in three correctly identified all of those that required hand-washing. More»

Vitamins Boost Women's Risk of Dying

High concentration of nutrients may turn toxic: researchers

(NEWSER) - Popping too many vitamins may actually shorten your life, a new study says. Researchers looked at the supplement intake of 38,000 women, starting in their early 60s, over 19 years—and found vitamin-users had a 2.4% higher chance of dying. Multivitamins, B6, iron, zinc, copper, folic acid, and iron were linked to the slight increase in mortalities, reports My Health News Daily . More»

Does Chocolate Build Muscle?

Scientists say, "sort of"

(NEWSER) - Can you finally replace your energy bar with a candy bar? Scientists have discovered a connection between chocolate and building muscle, reports the New York Times . Researchers at the University of California in San Diego have found that giving mice a purified form of epicatechin—the main nutritional ingredient of cacao—increased mitochondria in leg muscles. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Study: Dark Chocolate Aids Chronic Fatigue

Treat may work by boosting brain's serotonin levels

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

health • United Kingdom • study • blood pressure • serotonin • chocolate • chronic fatigue syndrome • health study

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Malaria Kills Twice as Many as We Thought: Study

Health officials have been undercounting adult victims, researchers argue

Kids Who Hate Mom Twice as Likely to Become Obese

Toddlers with poor relationships with mom may suffer in terms of health

Many Med Students Ignorant on Hand-Washing

2 of 3 rising doctors don't know when to clean hands: Study

Vitamins Boost Women's Risk of Dying

High concentration of nutrients may turn toxic: researchers

Does Chocolate Build Muscle?

Scientists say, "sort of"

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Study: Dark Chocolate Aids Chronic Fatigue

Treat may work by boosting brain's serotonin levels

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

health • United Kingdom • study • blood pressure • serotonin • chocolate • chronic fatigue syndrome • health study

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Malaria Kills Twice as Many as We Thought: Study

Health officials have been undercounting adult victims, researchers argue

Kids Who Hate Mom Twice as Likely to Become Obese

Toddlers with poor relationships with mom may suffer in terms of health

Many Med Students Ignorant on Hand-Washing

2 of 3 rising doctors don't know when to clean hands: Study

Vitamins Boost Women's Risk of Dying

High concentration of nutrients may turn toxic: researchers

Does Chocolate Build Muscle?

Scientists say, "sort of"

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?