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Chocolate May Be Beneficial For Chronic Fatigue

In a story by Journalist Sheryl Walters for Natural News .com, there is the possibility that consuming dark chocolate can be beneficial for those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. One of the main symptoms of the disorder is the feeling of exhaustion.

In a trial of 10 patients, Professor Steve Atkin had the group consume 45g of dark chocolate or white chocolate dyed to to look like dark chocolate for a period of two months.  They then fasted from chocolate for a month and then resumed consumption for another two months. The patients reported a reduction of fatigue during the period of consumption and a return of the symptoms during the period of abstinence.

Professor Atkin was surprised at what good results were achieved. “Although it was a small study, two patients went back to work after being off for six months.” He explained that”Dark chocolate is high in polyphenols, which have been associated with health benefits such as a reduction in blood pressure. Also high polyphenols appear to improve levels of serotonin in the brain, which has been linked with chronic fatigue syndrome and that may be a mechanism.”

The article does caution that “chronic fatigue is a very complex illness with many different causes including food intolerances, Candida, heavy metals and parasites. There is no single cure that works for everyone.”

It also states that consuming chocolate with sugar should be avoided in general especially for those “with a disabling disease”. That said “although more research was needed to confirm the findings, Atkin said that patients would not do themselves any harm by eating small amounts of dark chocolate.”

So with some common sense and moderation chocolate can be beneficial to your health.

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• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (articlesbase.com)