Does Chocolate Ease Or Contribute To Depression

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Eating more chocolate is associated with higher depression scores. There have been several studies on this subject and what is quite interesting is that the findings are similar between women and men.

Here is how scientists think it works: depression may stimulate cravings for chocolate as a form of self-medication. In fact, animal studies suggest that chocolate may have positive mood benefits.

With all of this being said, the research thus far cannot rule out the possibility that chocolate actually contributes to the depressed mood, or that both cravings and depressed mood are caused by a third underlying factor.

One of the other interesting aspects of research done to date is that people may actually self-medicate with chocolate. It is not a conscious effort but a way to deal with a down mood.