Why Does Chocolate Make Me Cough? They Lied to Me!

Does chocolate make you cough? Or is chocolate good for cough? If only this were the most controversial topic in recent years.

Are you actually a dog and shouldn’t be eating chocolate in the first place? If not, here are some evidence-backed reasons chocolate may be causing you to cough.

1. Allergies or Sensitivities: Some people might be allergic or sensitive to ingredients in chocolate, leading to an allergic reaction that can manifest as coughing, among other symptoms. This could be due to the cocoa itself or other ingredients commonly found in chocolate products, such as milk, nuts, soy lecithin, or gluten-containing additives. Histamine released in the body from eating chocolate can cause an array of allergic-like symptoms, including coughing.
2. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Chocolate can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. This can allow stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, causing acid reflux. One of the symptoms of acid reflux is a chronic cough.
3. Stimulants: Theobromine can act as a stimulant. For some people, especially those sensitive to stimulants, this can lead to a tickling sensation in the throat or a dry cough.
4. Aspiration: This is more about the manner of consumption rather than the chocolate itself. If someone eats too quickly or doesn’t chew their food properly, they might “aspirate” or inhale a small piece of chocolate, which can lead to coughing.
5. Additives and Fillers: Some chocolates, especially cheaper varieties, might contain additives, fillers, or other ingredients that can irritate the throat or cause a reaction leading to coughing.

Any other reasons you can think of? Be sure to share below.

Now, I’m going to cover why chocolate can actually help some people with a cough. Honestly, just go get some dark chocolate and see if it works. You’ll probably be back before you would finish reading this. =]

When Chocolate Became Popular for Cough

In 2012, the Daily Mail reported that researchers with the British National Health Service presented findings of their chocolate and cough study at the British Thoracic Society’s winter meeting. Does the study actually exist? Who knows. The Daily Mail never sources anything.

Reportedly, the study included nearly 300 people, each given 1,000 milligrams of the chemical theobromine (derived from cocoa) twice daily for 2 weeks.

More than half (60%) of the participants experienced some relief. Unfortunately, the benefits stopped when the theobromine was stopped.

Principal investigator Professor Alyn Morice, head of the Hull Cough Clinic, said:

“Eating a bar of dark chocolate a day which has high levels of the compound may also be effective for people with diagnosed persistent cough, although eating chocolate on a daily basis may have other unwanted effects, including weight gain and so on.”

For reference, unsweetened dark chocolate contains about 450 milligrams per ounce while sweetened dark chocolate contains about 150 millgrams. Less effective and more highly processed milk chocolate contains about 60 milligrams per ounce.

In other words, one bar of dark chocolate may have enough theobromine to temporarily soothe a cough.

More Evidence Suggesting Chocolate Can Help a Cough

In another study reported by the Daily Mail, professor Alyn Morice, head of cardiovascular and respiratory studies at Hull, said there’s a lot of truth to a study that tested the efficacy of a chocolate-based cough medicine.

The study, ROCOCO, involved 163 individuals who were randomly given either linctus (a cough medicine in syrup form) or a chocolate-based cough syrup called Unicough.

Participants’ cold and cough symptoms improved dramatically after just two days of using Unicough. The study also found that Unicough worked better than conventional cough medications. Twice as many patients were able to stop treatment early because their cough had improved so much.

Morice wrote in the Daily Mail:

“We have just seen the results of the largest real-world study of an over-the-counter cough remedy ever undertaken in Europe. This proves that a new medicine which contains cocoa is better than standard linctus. The head-to-head comparison found that patients taking the chocolate-based medicine had a significant improvement in symptoms within two days.” [2]

Morice also said:

“I know that might sound like something out of Mary Poppins, but as an independent clinician who has spent years researching the mechanism of cough, I can assure you the evidence is actually as solid a bar of Fruit and Nut.”

High quality chocolate is good for you. Putting a little in your tea or having it as a treat after your meal is not a diet disaster, unless you are trying to benefit from a processed candy bar.

Overall – How Can Chocolate Help?

Antitussive effects

Theobromine has antitussive effects, meaning it has been shown to inhibit the inappropriate firing of the vagus nerve, which is a key feature of persistent cough

Demulcent properties

Cocoa is also a demulcent, meaning it relieves inflammation and irritation. Its stickiness helps to make a thick coating in the throat, which could stop the itching and swelling that makes you cough.

While the combination of honey and lemon does basically the same thing, Morice said chocolate likely has a pharmacological activity, some sort of inhibitory effect on the nerve endings themselves.

Other, More Effective Remedies

You should know about other helpful ways to stop coughing. Not all cures need to come from a doctor. Some of them might be at home in your kitchen. Here is a list of remedies that may beat using chocolate for cough relief:

1. Honey: This sweet treat helps soothe a sore throat and calm a cough.
2. Ginger: Known as an age-old cure, ginger can help soothe throat pain.
3. Peppermint: This plant helps clear the nose and throat, making it easier to breathe.
4. Steam: Warm, moist air can loosen up the mucus that makes you cough.

For more tips, check out there 8 home remedies for cough – they will likely be very helpful.

FAQs

1. Can eating chocolate help my cough?

Yes, studies have shown that the ingredients in dark chocolate may soothe a cough.

2. How does chocolate ease a cough?

The cocoa found in dark chocolate has properties that can calm down nerves that trigger the urge to cough.

3. Should I eat milk or dark chocolate for a cough?

You should choose dark chocolate because it has more of the helpful ingredient cocoa than milk chocolate.

4. Does eating lots of chocolate mean I won’t get a cough?

No, while some evidence suggests that cocoa can soothe an existing cough, this doesn’t mean that if you eat lots of chocolates you will never get a cough.

5. Is hot chocolate good for cough?

Assuming your hot chocolate has an effective amount of theobromine, it may also be effective for a cough. Drinking warm liquids can soothe the throat and provide temporary relief as well.