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Few studies have examined the popularly embraced belief that chocolate consumption lifts mood. In a cross-sectional study, researchers assessed mood and chocolate consumption among more than 900 adults (mean age, 58; 70% male) in the San Diego area. Mood was evaluated with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D); a score of ≥16 is considered positive for depressed mood, and a score of ≥22 indicates major depression.
Mean monthly consumption of chocolate was 5.4 servings for people with CES-D scores <16, 8.4 servings for those with scores ≥16, and 11.8 for those with scores ≥22. No significant relation was found between fat or carbohydrate consumption and CES-D scores.