Mood Food

Abstract

Background Much lore but few studies describe a relation of chocolate to mood. We examined the cross-sectional relationship of chocolate consumption with depressed mood in adult men and women. Methods A sample of 1018 adults (694 men and 324 women) from San Diego, California, without diabetes or known coronary artery disease was studied in a cross-sectional analysis. The 931 subjects who were not using antidepressant medications and provided chocolate consumption information were the focus of the analysis. Mood was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Cut points signaling a positive depression screen result (CES-D score, ≥16) and probable major depression (CES-D score, ≥22) were used. Chocolate servings per week were provided by 1009 subjects. Chocolate consumption frequency and rate data from the Fred Hutchinson Food Frequency Questionnaire were also available for 839 subjects. Chocolate consumption was compared for those with lower vs higher CES-D scores. In addition, a test of trend was performed. Results Those screening positive for possible depression (CES-D score ≥16) had higher chocolate consumption (8.4 servings per month) than those not screening positive (5.4 servings per month) (P = .004); those with still higher CES-D scores (≥22) had still higher chocolate consumption (11.8 servings per month) (P value for trend, <.01). These associations extended to both men and women. These findings did not appear to be explained by a general increase in fat, carbohydrate, or energy intake. Conclusion Higher CES-D depression scores were associated with greater chocolate consumption. Whether there is a causal connection, and if so in which direction, is a matter for future prospective study.

Food Intake, Diet Quality and Behavioral Problems in Children: Results from the GINI-plus/LISA-plus Studies

“…This explanation is supported by findings in adolescents indicating that the highest quartile for confectionery intake was associated with higher depression scores [7]. Our result also corresponds with a cross-sectional study of 1,018 adults that found higher depression scores to be related to greater chocolate consumption [13]. …”

“…In these studies, depression was associated with a lower healthy diet score [3,8] and with a Western dietary pattern consisting of increased intakes of takeaway foods, confectionery and red meat [7]. Similar relationships with depression were also reported from several adult studies investigating healthy dietary patterns [9,10], unhealthy dietary patterns [11,12,13] and diet quality [14]. …”

Dopamine polymorphisms and depressive symptoms predict foods intake. Results from a nationally representative sample

“…Others have similarly shown that these individuals report greater consumption of high calorie foods (e.g. ready-to-eat and fast foods) (Liu et al, 2007) and high chocolate consumption (Rose, Koperski, & Golomb, 2010). In general, our findings examining depressive symptoms and intake of high calorie foods were in the expected direction.…”

“…Individuals with depressive symptoms may consume higher amounts of highly palatable foods (e.g. high sugar and high fat) as a way of regulating dopamine availability and ultimately mood (Corsica & Pelchat, 2010; Rose, et al, 2010). Repeated stimulation of the reward pathways through highly palatable food may lead to dopamine dysregulation and overeating (Fulton, 2009).…”

Association Between More Frequent Chocolate Consumption and Lower Body Mass Index

“…Chocolate consumption in this sample was previously associated unfavorably with mood. 6 Because mood could serve as a confounder or mediator, analyses were conducted with and without CES-D adjustment.…”