Chocolate is a "cough savior"!

coughIt is a common symptom of discomfort in life. Many people are accustomed to drinking honey lemon water or taking cough syrup to relieve it. However, according to the research of Alyn Morice, an international authority on cough research and professor at the University of Hull in the UK, "chocolate" may be a more effective cough relieving option, even better than traditional honey lemon or general cough suppressants.

Alyn Morice, a founding member of the International Society for the Study of Cough, has long specialized in cough treatment research. She conducted a clinical trial on 163 cough patients, dividing them into two groups and giving them either a traditional cough suppressant (such as codeine) or a chocolate-based solution. The results showed that those who took the chocolate solution experienced significant improvement in their cough symptoms within just two days, with some even being able to discontinue treatment earlier. The results were superior to those of standard over-the-counter cough suppressants.

This is not the first study to prove that chocolate has a cough suppressant effect. Earlier research from Imperial College London also pointed out that theobromine in chocolate is more effective than the common cough suppressant codeine.Suppress coughAlyn Morice further explained that theobromine not only has pharmacological activity and can directly act on the nerve endings in the throat, but also because of its viscous texture, it can form a protective film in the throat, reducing the cough reflex caused by external stimuli.

In the past, people often believed that honey or syrup could relieve coughs. The principle behind this is similar: both use a sticky texture to protect the throat. However, Alyn Morice emphasizes that the theobromine in chocolate isn't just sticky; it actually has a pharmacological effect that suppresses cough nerves. She even speculates that scientists may discover so-called "chocolate receptors" in the human body specifically associated with cough reflexes.

What's the most effective way to eat chocolate? It's recommended to hold it in your mouth and lick it slowly.

While theobromine itself has a cough-relieving effect, Alyn Morice points out that the key is to allow the chocolate to have sufficient contact time with the throat to form an effective protective layer. Therefore, drinking hot chocolate, although warm and comfortable, is not very effective because the liquid state has a shorter contact time with the throat.

She suggests that "holding chocolate in your mouth and slowly licking it" is the ideal way to consume it, allowing the active ingredients like theobromine to fully interact with the villi, receptors, and chemicals in the trachea for optimal results. She also reminds people to prioritize dark chocolate, as it has the highest theobromine content and is relatively low in sugar and fat. This not only helps relieve coughs, but also helps avoid consuming too many extra calories.

Nutritionists add: Zinc can also help soothe throat discomfort.

British nutritionist Sarah Flower mentioned in an interview with The Sun that the zinc element in chocolate may also be beneficial forSoothes throat discomfortIt is helpful to a certain extent, so choosing dark chocolate with higher nutritional content would be a more ideal choice for cough relief.

Taiwanese doctors' view: Chocolate is not a panacea for coughs

However, Dr. Li Bingying, a pediatric infectious disease physician at National Taiwan University Hospital, pointed out in the book "52 Cards to Decipher Medical Myths" that although theobromine has the property of dilating bronchi and may be more effective than codeine for coughs caused by things like asthma, chocolate may not have a significant effect on coughs caused by the common cold, gastroesophageal reflux or postnasal drip. It may even irritate the throat due to its excessive sweetness, making the cough worse.

Therefore, Dr. Li Bingying reminds us that while chocolate has the potential to suppress coughs, it is not a panacea. The timing of its use and the cause of the cough need to be carefully evaluated. It is recommended that people choose the most appropriate treatment based on the type of cough and consult a professional physician if necessary.

Overall, the theobromine in chocolate, especially dark chocolate, does have the potential to suppress coughs and protect the throat, potentially even more effectively than traditional cough suppressants or honey and lemon. However, the actual effectiveness depends on the cause of the cough. People with persistent or severe coughs should seek professional medical advice rather than relying solely on dietary therapy. If you want to try chocolate for cough relief, choosing dark chocolate and slowly licking it may be a more effective method.