For starters, dark chocolate is rich in magnesium. According to the USDA, a 1 oz piece of 70% to 85% dark chocolate has 64.6 mg of magnesium, while a single 100g bar contains 228 mg. Magnesium is a superstar when it comes to fighting period cramps. Speaking to PopSugar, Dr. Ruth Arumala, DO, MPH, NCMP, a certified OBGYN, confirmed: “Magnesium causes relaxation of the uterine smooth muscle, which decreases prostaglandin-mediated lower back and pelvic pain during menses.”
In fact, Dr. Lara Briden, a naturopathic doctor, told Well And Good that she’s crowned magnesium as the “miracle mineral for periods.” Magnesium’s benefits don’t end at easing period cramps either. Dr. Briden added, “Magnesium calms the nervous system, so it’s great for the headaches and mood symptoms of PMS.” Dark chocolate can be a much-needed mood booster when you’re on your period. A study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology noted that dark chocolate can trigger the release of endorphins, feel-good chemicals that help regulate mood swings and bring back your lost appetite.
Dark chocolate also interacts with the dopamine and serotonin systems for an added boost of much-needed joy. Fellow OBGYN Dr. Alyssa Dweck shared another benefit of dark chocolate with Pure Wow: “The flavanol compounds found in dark chocolate are rich in antioxidants and can increase NO (nitric oxide) production in blood vessels, leading to vasodilation. Dilation of blood vessels may help with cramps.”
Post source: The List
