It is a widespread opinion that chocolate consumption improves mood and produces wellbeing sensations. But, is there really a proved evidence on this belief? With a cross-sectional trial, the relation between chocolate consumption and mood has been assessed in 900 adults (averagely 58 years of age; 70% males) in the area of San Diego, in California. Mood has been assessed with the CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression) scale, according to which a score ≥ 16 is considered as positive for depression and a score ≥ 22 is indicative of an episode of major depression. Among the subjects with a CES-D < 16, a chocolate consumption of 5.4 helpings has been recorded; among the ones with a CES-D ≥ 16, eaten helpings have been 8.4; among the ones with a score ≥ 22, helpings have been 11.8. There has been no difference in mood according to carbohydrates consumption.
In this cross-sectional trial (that is to say a kind of “photograph” of the present situation, with no time evolution), the severest depressions have proceeded in the same way as chocolate consumption. Apart from the denial of the widespread opinion on euphoriant properties of chocolate, a great doubt remains that the trial does not clear up: does chocolate consumption provoke depression or does the depressed person eat more chocolate because he is depressed?
