The REAL reason women crave chocolate during menstruation
Ladies, have you ever wondered why we crave chocolate when we are bleeding?
Most articles out there will put it down to the sugar content or the comfort factor when in actual fact, cacao is one of the most effective moon time medicines we have.
Here’s why:
MAGNESIUM: Cacao contains a high concentration of magnesium, an incredibly effective smooth muscle relaxant. It is very common for many women to experience painful cramping in the first few days of menstruation as the uterus contracts to expel its lining. The magnesium in cacao encourage not only the uterine muscles to relax, but when taken at the right dosage, can help the entire body to relax and release tension.
HORMONE BALANCER: Cacao contains the precursor to serotonin, a key hormone whose role it is to regulate mood. Most people know serotonin is a ‘happy hormone’ and one that makes us feel good. As well as serotonin, cacao also contains Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOs) which are a family of enzymes that SLOW DOWN the breakdown of serotonin in the body.
This means that when we drink cacao we are able to experience our happy hormones for an extended period of time (much longer than we usually would be able to). Due to the hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstruation, this can be a serious lifesaver when those mood swings and down days strike. Essentially cacao is helping to balance and stabilise our mood, working as a natural anti-depressant.
MAGNESIUM: Cacao contains a high concentration of magnesium, an incredibly effective smooth muscle relaxant. It is very common for many women to experience painful cramping in the first few days of menstruation as the uterus contracts to expel its lining. The magnesium in cacao encourage not only the uterine muscles to relax, but when taken at the right dosage, can help the entire body to relax and release tension.
HORMONE BALANCER: Cacao contains the precursor to serotonin, a key hormone whose role it is to regulate mood. Most people know serotonin is a ‘happy hormone’ and one that makes us feel good. As well as serotonin, cacao also contains Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOs) which are a family of enzymes that SLOW DOWN the breakdown of serotonin in the body.
This means that when we drink cacao we are able to experience our happy hormones for an extended period of time (much longer than we usually would be able to). Due to the hormonal fluctuations that occur during menstruation, this can be a serious lifesaver when those mood swings and down days strike. Essentially cacao is helping to balance and stabilise our mood, working as a natural anti-depressant.
IRON: When blood is lost every month during menstruation, iron is too. Women who have heavy periods are at a higher risk of suffering from iron-deficient anaemia. While this is at the more severe end of the scale, it is not uncommon. Cacao is high in iron and can give us the hit that we need during those more depleted days.
VASODILATOR: Many women experience hormonal and tension headaches leading up to and during menstruation. Cacao relaxes and expands blood vessels, increasing oxygenated blood flow to the brain and heart. This can help to ease headaches and tension whilst also encouraging blood to flow freely out of the body.
Whether consciously or subconsciously women have always known the power of cacao to support their bodies. Whether it be during childbirth to provide strength and stamina in labour or during menstruation to support and nourish hormones.
Our bodies are so incredibly intelligent and are always speaking to us, asking for what they need. That is why we should never feel guilty or deprive ourselves.
Trust that when your body is craving chocolate it is intuitively asking for the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that cacao can provide.
How blessed we are to be able to receive such a profound and powerful medicine!
