This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/7018055.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Chocolate 'aids fatigue syndrome' Chocolate 'aids fatigue syndrome'
(about 4 hours later)
A daily dose of dark chocolate may help reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, say UK researchers.A daily dose of dark chocolate may help reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, say UK researchers.
Patients in a pilot study found they had less fatigue when eating dark chocolate with a high cocoa content than with white chocolate dyed brown.Patients in a pilot study found they had less fatigue when eating dark chocolate with a high cocoa content than with white chocolate dyed brown.
The researchers from Hull York Medical School said the results were surprising but dark chocolate may be having an effect on the brain chemical serotonin.The researchers from Hull York Medical School said the results were surprising but dark chocolate may be having an effect on the brain chemical serotonin.
Experts said patients should consume chocolate in moderation.Experts said patients should consume chocolate in moderation.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as ME, is a condition with a diverse range of symptoms but particularly characterised by profound muscle fatigue after physical exertion.Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as ME, is a condition with a diverse range of symptoms but particularly characterised by profound muscle fatigue after physical exertion.
If you derive benefit, then it's a no harm, no risk situation Professor Steve AtkinIf you derive benefit, then it's a no harm, no risk situation Professor Steve Atkin
Study leader Professor Steve Atkin, an expert in endocrinology, said the idea for the study came after a patient reported feeling much better after swapping her normal milk chocolate for dark chocolate with a high cocoa solid content.Study leader Professor Steve Atkin, an expert in endocrinology, said the idea for the study came after a patient reported feeling much better after swapping her normal milk chocolate for dark chocolate with a high cocoa solid content.
He decided to see if other patients would benefit and carried out a trial of 10 patients who received a daily dose - 45g - of dark chocolate or white chocolate dyed to look like dark chocolate for two months.He decided to see if other patients would benefit and carried out a trial of 10 patients who received a daily dose - 45g - of dark chocolate or white chocolate dyed to look like dark chocolate for two months.
The patients then had a month off before being taking the other type of chocolate for two months. The patients then had a month off before taking the other type of chocolate for two months.
Those taking dark chocolate reported significantly less fatigue and reported feeling more fatigue when they stopped eating it.Those taking dark chocolate reported significantly less fatigue and reported feeling more fatigue when they stopped eating it.
PolyphenolsPolyphenols
Professor Atkin said he was very surprised at the strength of the results.Professor Atkin said he was very surprised at the strength of the results.
"Although it was a small study, two patients went back to work after being off for six months.""Although it was a small study, two patients went back to work after being off for six months."
He explained: "Dark chocolate is high in polyphenols, which have been associated with health benefits such as a reduction in blood pressure.He explained: "Dark chocolate is high in polyphenols, which have been associated with health benefits such as a reduction in blood pressure.
"Also high polyphenols appear to improve levels of serotonin in the brain, which has been linked with chronic fatigue syndrome and that may be a mechanism.""Also high polyphenols appear to improve levels of serotonin in the brain, which has been linked with chronic fatigue syndrome and that may be a mechanism."
He added that although more research was needed to confirm the findings, patients would not do themselves any harm by eating small amounts of dark chocolate and no-one in the study put on any weight.He added that although more research was needed to confirm the findings, patients would not do themselves any harm by eating small amounts of dark chocolate and no-one in the study put on any weight.
"If you derive benefit, then it's a no-harm, no-risk situation.""If you derive benefit, then it's a no-harm, no-risk situation."
Jane Corby, executive director of The Young ME Sufferers Trust said it was important to distinguish between ME and other types of fatigue. Jane Colby, executive director of The Young ME Sufferers Trust said it was important to distinguish between ME and other types of fatigue.
"But a little bit of what you fancy does you good - if it's not doing you any harm and it seems to be helping you then fair enough but I don't think it's an instant cure.""But a little bit of what you fancy does you good - if it's not doing you any harm and it seems to be helping you then fair enough but I don't think it's an instant cure."
She added that people needed to eat chocolate in moderation to ensure they do not put on weight.She added that people needed to eat chocolate in moderation to ensure they do not put on weight.
Heather Walker, Communications Manager, Action for ME, said: "Wouldn't it be wonderful if eating chocolate every day could alleviate the symptoms of chronic illness?Heather Walker, Communications Manager, Action for ME, said: "Wouldn't it be wonderful if eating chocolate every day could alleviate the symptoms of chronic illness?
"If it were that easy, there would not be 250,000 people in the UK today whose lives are being been devastated by ME.""If it were that easy, there would not be 250,000 people in the UK today whose lives are being been devastated by ME."