PMS + Cravings = WHY?

Question

I was just wondering ...

Why do we crave chocolate (and other sweets) when we're PMSing? Is there a medical reason why? Maybe there's an ingredient in the chocolate that helps our mood?

Answer 1

From chocolate.org:

"Acute monthly cravings for chocolate amongst pre-menstrual women may be partly explained by its rich magnesium content. Magnesium deficiency exacerbates PMT. Before menstruation, too, levels of the hormone progesterone are high. Progesterone promotes fat storage, preventing its use as fuel; elevated pre-menstrual levels of progesterone may cause a periodic craving for fatty foods. One study reported that 91% of chocolate-cravings associated with the menstrual cycle occurred between ovulation and the start of menstruation."