Why Women Crave Chocolate Before During and After PMS

The painful cramps begin after we start because of a contraction like reaction to the shedding of the uterine wall.  Cramps occur when the lining of the uterus release prostaglandin, a hormone like substance. While prostaglandin is being released the uterus spasms in a contraction like manner.  It’s normal to experience moderate to normal cramps at the onset of menstruation due to the inflammatory effects of prostaglandin. The dilation of blood vessels creates inflammation and a shift in blood pressure. But is there something we do to make this condition worse?

Low blood sugar occurs during menstruation because a higher level of hormones and insulin are triggered. Once blood sugar is low the brain sends messages to the body to generate more fuel.   

The FDA has researched the effects of chocolate on women during this process. The FDA reports chocolate to have small amounts of caffeine and large amounts of theobromine, a mild stimulant.  This can create a reaction in the nervous system enhancing pain, irritability and discomfort.  It is for this reason chocolate can actually make your periods and PMS symptoms worse.  Many argue the calcium in chocolate is beneficial to menstrual cramps.  Studies have proven calcium supplements lessen the pain of cramps.  It is beneficial to take added calcium supplements to counter the ill effects of PMS instead of eating chocolate which actually aggravates the pain of cramps.

PMS or Premenstrual Syndrome causes mood swings, depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability and over all pain.  The hormonal fluctuations we experience often create PMS days or weeks before we actually begin the cycle.  Be prepared to continually experience chocolate cravings during these changes.  It is always a better idea to avoid eating chocolate during your period to insure the symptoms are not aggravated and or made worse.  The same caffeine that causes the physical pain of PMS to worsen has the same ill effects on the emotional issue mentioned earlier.  The body also needs magnesium during the menstrual process.  While we don’t feel like cooking well planned nutritious meals during this trying time taking added supplements or supplements period is the best way to decrease the over all pain and discomfort of PMS or the average menstrual period.

So what do we girls do about chocolate?  I say we can have our chocolate and eat it to.

But now we realize the time to enjoy chocolate is not during our periods as this can make for worse PMS.

We can have our chocolate and eat it too, chocolate is good for us and makes our brains happy just not during our periods.

So between that week when things go a bit off the deep end take a good multivitamin and be sure to stock up on chocolate when it's not that time of the month!

I am a dark chocoholic I love rich dark chocolate and this is the type that is good for us.

I go all out to feel and fill good, I buy organic and fair trade chocolate.

Endangered Species Black Panther is the best I have ever tried and it is so good for you. Most dark chocolate I've tried over 80% is bitter and often dry, but not endangered species.

 My friends, kids and family who don't like dark chocolate love this stuff.

So if you've not gotten into the dark chocolate health kick give endangered species a try, I bet you find you love it just as much as I do.  

This is quality chocolate you can feel good about buying so try the many varieties, I do and have never been disappointed.

This is a special treat that makes you feel special, it's good chocolate.

Enjoy!

Much Happiness and Pleasure, Katie