We know that eating chocolate can help relieve emotional stress,but this study explains why: It can reduce stress hormone levels and correct biochemical disturbances caused by stress. The study included 30 lucky volunteers who consumed 40 grams of dark chocolate (74% cocoa solids) daily for two weeks. They were classified as having high or low anxiety traits. Urine and blood samples were collected at the start, middle, and end of the two-week study.

Researchers found that people with high anxiety had a different metabolic profile, hormone metabolism, and gut microbial action than people with low anxiety. The biological response to daily chocolate consumption depended on how anxious a person was. For anxious people, chocolate consumption was associated with decreasing levels of stress hormones. Eating dark chocolate also partially normalised differences in stress-related energy metabolism and gut microbial activity.