Dark Chocolate and Well-Being in Menopausal Women: A Study on Depression and Overall Health

Menopause is often associated with an increase in depressive symptoms, affecting up to 35% of postmenopausal women. These issues, often exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations, sleep disorders, or age-related body changes, negatively impact quality of life and lead to increased healthcare costs. In this context, it is crucial to identify effective and accessible approaches to manage these symptoms, particularly through nutritional interventions.

This study evaluates the impact of daily dark chocolate consumption on depression and sleep quality in menopausal women aged 45 to 65. Additionally, it explores potential effects on anthropometric parameters such as body mass index (BMI), weight, and waist circumference to assess possible implications for overall physical health.  

Dark Chocolate: A Natural Solution for Depression in Menopausal Women?

Sixty menopausal women with mild to moderate depressive symptoms were selected and randomly divided into two groups:

• Group 1: Daily consumption of 12 g of dark chocolate (78% cocoa).
• Group 2: Daily consumption of 12 g of milk chocolate.

The intervention lasted eight weeks, with evaluations using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to measure depression and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality. Anthropometric parameters were also recorded.

The study revealed a significant reduction in depression scores in the group consuming dark chocolate, with an adjusted mean difference of -2.3 (p = 0.003) and a moderate effect size (Cohen's d = -0.54). However, no significant improvement was observed between the two groups regarding overall sleep quality or its subdomains. Similarly, measurements of weight, BMI, and circumferences (waist and hips) showed no significant differences between the groups after the intervention.  

Dark Chocolate: A Small Treat with Big Benefits

This study suggests that daily consumption of dark chocolate rich in polyphenols can be an effective complementary method to reduce depressive symptoms in menopausal women. However, no effects were observed on sleep quality or physical health indices. These findings highlight the potential of functional foods in nutritional recommendations, though further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of action, optimal dosages, and intervention duration.