Chocolate consumption is increased in Parkinson's disease: RResults from a self-questionnaire study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • M. Wolz - , Department of Neurology (Author)
  • A. Kaminsky - , Department of Neurology (Author)
  • M. Löhle - , Department of Neurology (Author)
  • R. Koch - , Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry (Author)
  • A. Storch - , Department of Neurology (Author)
  • H. Reichmann - , Department of Neurology (Author)

Abstract

Clinical observations in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients suggested an increased chocolate consumption. Chocolate contains high contents of various biogenic amines potentially influencing brain monoamine metabolism. 498 PD patients and their partners were evaluated by a structured self-questionnaire asking for consumption of chocolate and non-chocolate sweets, changes in chocolate consumption during the disease course, and depressive symptoms. Questionnaires from 274 patients (55 %) and 234 controls were eligible for further analysis. Consumption of chocolate was significantly higher in PD patients compared to controls, while consumption of non-chocolate sweets was similar in both groups. Our study suggests that chocolate consumption is increased in PD independent of concomitant depressive symptoms measured by BDI-1. Although reasons for increased chocolate consumption in PD remain elusive, it may hypothetically be a consequence of the high content of various biogenic amines and/or caffeine analogues with potential antiparkinsonian effects.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)488-492
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of neurology
Volume256
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2009
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 19277767

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Biogenic amines, Chocolate, Parkinson's disease, Self-questionnaire