Learn About Chocolate Cravings and Alcohol Addiction

Learn About Chocolate Cravings and Alcohol Addiction Addiction Alcohol Use Withdrawal and Relapse Print Chocolate Cravings and Alcohol Addiction By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Updated on February 17, 2020 Getty Images More in Addiction Alcohol Use Withdrawal and Relapse Binge Drinking Children of Alcoholics Drunk Driving Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery For years people have claimed to be addicted to chocolate and now there is new scientific evidence that reveals some addictive qualities in the tasty treat. The same alkaloid compounds found in alcohol are also present in chocolate, researchers say. This could also explain why many people recovering from alcoholism use chocolate to curb their craving for alcohol, especially in early sobriety.   Researchers at the Spanish Council for Scientific Research in Madrid are the first to find that ordinary cocoa and chocolate bars contain a group of alkaloids known as tetrahydro-beta-carbolines, according to researcher Tomas Herraiz. In previous research, the same chemicals were linked to alcoholism, he said. The family of compounds, which are also known as neuroactive alkaloids, continues to be investigated for possible influences on mood and behavior. In an earlier study by Italian scientists, caffeine and magnesium are often suggested as potential contributors to the craving, Herraiz said. Now we can enlarge this list to include these compounds. Higher levels of the compounds seem to correlate with the amount of cocoa in a sample, he reported. The darker the chocolate, the more of the compounds it contains, the news release said. Women More Affected By Chocolate Cravings Women seem to be more prone to chocolate cravings than men. The American Diabetes Association report found that only 15% of males appear to crave chocolate, as much as 40 percent of women do and 75% of them claim that absolutely nothing other than chocolate can satisfy their appetite. Because chocolate cravings may be influenced by a deficiency in magnesium, this may be why some experience an increase in chocolate cravings during PMS (premenstrual syndrome). For most people, craving chocolate is in no way harmful, but if it rises to the level of binge eating it can be a real problem. Chocolate is the food most desired by women who binge eat, because of a brain chemical that gives them physical pleasure from the sweet indulgence, says University of Michigan nutritionist Adam Drewnowski. Drewnowskis research found that Naloxone, a drug used to reverse the effects of opioids, can reduce craving in binge eaters, but Naloxone is available only intravenously, which makes it impractical for chronic bingers. Drewnowski is searching for an easier-to-take drug. A Word From Verywell Like with any food or substance that has the potential to be addictive, its best to practice moderation. Eat just a little bit and seek out pure chocolate or dark chocolate with nuts or fresh fruit versus high-sugar fillings like caramel or nougat. Do your best to take back control of your chocolate craving. Grab a piece of fruit, distract yourself by going for a walk, or just wait it out until it passes.