Observations placeholder
Parkinson's disease and chocolate
Identifier
012978
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The reason that PD sufferers eat chocolate is that it is a naturally occurring and delicious source of dopamine.
A description of the experience
J Neurol. 2009 Mar;256(3):488-92. doi: 10.1007/s00415-009-0118-9. Epub 2009 Mar 13.
Chocolate consumption is increased in Parkinson's disease. Results from a self-questionnaire study.
Wolz M1, Kaminsky A, Löhle M, Koch R, Storch A, Reichmann H.
Abstract
Clinical observations in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients suggested an increased chocolate consumption. Chocolate contains high contents of various biogenic amines potentially influencing brain monoamine metabolism. 498 PD patients and their partners were evaluated by a structured self-questionnaire asking for consumption of chocolate and non-chocolate sweets, changes in chocolate consumption during the disease course, and depressive symptoms. Questionnaires from 274 patients (55 %) and 234 controls were eligible for further analysis. Consumption of chocolate was significantly higher in PD patients compared to controls, while consumption of non-chocolate sweets was similar in both groups. Our study suggests that chocolate consumption is increased in PD independent of concomitant depressive symptoms measured by BDI-1. Although reasons for increased chocolate consumption in PD remain elusive, it may hypothetically be a consequence of the high content of various biogenic amines and/or caffeine analogues with potential antiparkinsonian effects.
PMID: 19277767