Chocolate & Alcohol
Let’s talk about chocolate and alcohol.
Are your menopause symptoms getting worse? It might be because of the things you’re getting in your body, as well as things you sorely lack.
Unfortunately, you can’t stop your body from going through the menopausal transition, and the potential discomforts associated with it. What you can do is try to reduce the symptoms by becoming more aware of your diet.
Two of the simplest dietary tweaks you can do are consuming more dark chocolate and reducing your alcohol intake. Though chocolate and alcohol don’t always go together, they are a big symptom trigger for some women.
Beneficial Effects of Dark Chocolate Among Menopausal Women
If you’re not a big chocolate fan, this might change your mind. It has a lot of health benefits that also help alleviate your symptoms.
Chocolate & Alcohol:
Helps manage your mood swings
Dark chocolate helps your body produce more endorphins, a chemical that makes you happy.
But it’s not just the endorphins. The feel-good effect is further magnified by the increased production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that increases your pleasure sensation.
Keeps your brain from getting foggy
A few chunks of dark chocolate throughout the day, and you’ll enjoy better memory, faster reaction time, and sharper problem-solving skills.
That’s because chocolate has flavonoids that enhance blood flow to the brain. One study even showed its potential to slow down the effects of dementia among seniors.
Helps manage your levels of stress
Did you know that dark chocolate is also called “nature’s valium”? Thanks to its magnesium content, you enjoy lower production of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone.
Keeps your food cravings at bay
Chocolate & alcohol are often irresistible. Many postmenopausal women can attest to this: it’s so hard to lose weight during menopause. And it doesn’t help that the increased cortisol associated with menopause makes women indulge in stress eating.
Thankfully, a little dark chocolate goes a long way, so you don’t have to eat much. Plus, it helps suppress your desire to reach for another bag of junk food.
Dark chocolate may be great, but don’t overdo it! A few squares a day is enough.
And remember that not all dark chocolates are created equal. Always check the label and go for options with at least 75% cocoa solids.
Why Moderate Alcohol Intake is the Way to Go
If you’re drinking anywhere from two to five drinks per day, you might want to take it down a notch.
Not only does the frequency of alcohol consumption exacerbate your symptoms like hot flashes/flushes and decreased bone density, but it also exposes you to more severe effects of alcohol, including:
- breast cancer
- heart disease
- obesity
- organ damage
Saying no to binge drinking isn’t the same as getting rid of alcohol altogether. The key is moderate alcohol consumption — just one drink per day or seven drinks per week.
When you’re a moderate drinker, you get to improve your bone health and lower your risk of dementia, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
At the right amount, dark chocolate and alcohol can be healthy for menopausal women.
If you want to better manage your menopausal symptoms, and learn more about chocolate and alcohol, equip yourself with essential knowledge about this phase of your life. Check out our free menopause guide and learn more about how you can take control of your menopause symptoms.
Read more about chocolate in this great recipe:
