Survey study, 2009
Does hormonal change cause chocolate cravings around the period?
Chocolate cravings decreased by only 13.4% after menopause, much less than the 38% decrease that would be expected if hormones were the main cause, suggesting stress or other personal factors are the main drivers.
What they did
Researchers surveyed women who attended the same university at different ages, some before menopause and some after, about when they crave chocolate.
What they found
About half of American women crave chocolate overall, and about half of those who crave chocolate report craving it specifically around menstruation. After menopause, chocolate cravings decreased by 13.4%. If the craving were directly caused by female reproductive hormones, researchers would have expected a 38% decrease, since 38% of pre-menopausal women reported craving chocolate only during the perimenstrual period.
What it means for you
The small decrease in chocolate cravings after menopause suggests that female reproductive hormones are not the main cause of cravings around menstruation. Instead, stress, habit, or other personal factors are likely more important. The study was limited to university alumnae from one university, so may not apply to other groups.
13.4%
decrease in chocolate cravings after menopause
38%
expected decrease if hormones were the cause
About the study
- Original title
- Perimenstrual chocolate craving. What happens after menopause?
- Authors
- Hormes JM, Rozin P
- Journal
- Appetite
- Year
- 2009
- Study design
- Survey study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2009.07.003
Topics
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