Cocoa

Cocoa (in the form of dark chocolate) may improve the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Evidence
In animal models, cocoa may inhibit the function of type 2 T helper cells, increase intestinal T lymphocyte count, and decrease secretory IgA.

Cocoa was also found to significantly increase Lactobacillus casei in pigs.

Chocolate contains phenylalanine, a dopamine precursor, and is rich in flavinoids.

Mendus is running a small unblinded trial to assess cocoa in ME/CFS.

Prebiotic
Some evidence suggests dark chocolate may provide benefits to the gut microbiome.

Risks and safety
Cocoa including chocolate is a known trigger for migraines, which many people with ME/CFS have.

Learn more

 * Cocoa and Dark Chocolate Polyphenols: From Biology to Clinical Applications 2017
 * "Cocoa polyphenols modulate intestinal microbiota, leading to growth of good bacteria & anti-inflammatory pathway in host"
 * "Cocoa and dark chocolate polyphenols exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities switching on some important signaling pathways such as toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor κB/signal transducer and activator of transcription. In particular, cocoa polyphenols induce release of nitric oxide (NO) through activation of endothelial NO synthase which, in turn, accounts for vasodilation and cardioprotective effects"