Menstruation is a natural process that every woman has to go through each month, and it brings along several effects, such as fatigue, mood swings, abnormal drowsiness, and one of the most painful symptoms that significantly affects daily life is “menstrual cramps.” Finding ways to alleviate these symptoms has become a topic of interest for many. One particularly interesting approach is eating ‘chocolate and cocoa to relieve pain.’
How can eating chocolate or cocoa help relieve pain?
Menstrual cramps are caused by the contraction of the uterus during menstruation and the release of hormones that stimulate these contractions. This is the main reason for abdominal pain and cramps. Eating chocolate and cocoa can help alleviate this pain because ‘magnesium,’ which is abundant in dark chocolate, helps relax muscles and reduce uterine contractions.
Magnesium, a mineral found in chocolate and cocoa, is well known for its muscle-relaxing properties, which helps reduce uterine contractions and pain. Additionally, magnesium can inhibit the production of hormones that stimulate contractions. Some studies support this information, indicating that lower magnesium levels in the blood are associated with more painful menstruation.
Other benefits beyond reducing menstrual cramps
Cocoa also contains important compounds called flavonoids, which help reduce inflammation, promote relaxation, improve mood, and reduce anxiety. This can also help better manage mood swings during menstruation.
How should you choose chocolate and cocoa during your period?
Choosing Chocolate
It’s recommended to opt for dark chocolate because it contains higher amounts of magnesium, which is what we’re looking for. Dark chocolate has more magnesium than other types of chocolate. Look for dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 60-70% or higher, as the higher the percentage, the more magnesium it contains.
If you find dark chocolate too intense, you can also choose other types like milk chocolate as a substitute.
Choosing Cocoa Powder
It’s best to choose 100% cocoa powder. When preparing a drink, use a generous amount of cocoa powder, but avoid adding too much milk or sugar.
When buying or ordering cocoa drinks from a store, often the amount of cocoa used is limited because of the addition of ingredients like milk, sugar, and condensed milk. If you’re looking for health benefits, make sure to check that the cocoa drink you buy contains enough cocoa powder.
For better control of the cocoa content and the quality of the drink, it’s recommended to prepare it yourself, so you can adjust the cocoa powder amount to your preference.
Should you consume chocolate and cocoa regularly throughout the month?
If you’re only aiming to reduce menstrual cramps, consuming chocolate 3-4 days before your expected period is sufficient. However, consuming chocolate and cocoa in moderate amounts every day can provide multiple health benefits.
Precautions
1.Don’t overconsume
While chocolate and cocoa have health benefits, other ingredients such as sugar and milk can lead to excessive calorie and sugar intake if consumed in large amounts. This can affect blood sugar levels and weight. Therefore, it’s recommended to consume in moderation—about 1-2 pieces or approximately 30-60 grams per day is enough.
2.Check the ingredients carefully
Many products labeled as “chocolate,” especially those at lower prices, often contain palm oil, wheat flour, and sugar as primary ingredients, with only a small amount of cocoa powder or cocoa mass. While these products may taste sweet and delicious, they provide little nutritional value and are filled with fat and sugar. It’s better to choose chocolate that contains cocoa mass and cocoa butter as the main ingredients for better health benefits.
