Chocolate: cause or cure for depression?
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 14:49Curious findings on the relationship between chocolate and depression in this week's Archives of Internal Medicine. Researchers found that those who reported eating the most chocolate were more likely to be depressed.
Does this suggest that chocolate causes depression? No. (All together now: "Correlation does not equal causation!") In fact, it might suggest exactly the opposite. If chocolate lifts your mood, as other studies have suggested, it could be that those who suffer from depression are simply self-medicating. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be working all that well--at least not for classic depression symptoms.
Ultimately, the researchers conclude that, "whether there is a causal connection, and if so in which direction, is a matter for future prospective study." In the meantime, there is solid evidence that physical activity, including stretching, resistance training, and low-intensity exercise, reduces symptoms of depression.