Truth behind whether or not dark chocolate helps with period cramps

When it comes to period pain, there are countless old wives' tales knocking about, each claiming to be the key to relief.

And this week, one batch of health experts have finally set the record straight when it comes to one of the most popular alleged remedies - dark chocolate.

Some people who menstruate claim that dark chocolate helps alleviate cramps (Kinga Krzeminska/Getty)

A broken heart? Buy a big box of choccies.

Delayed flight? Get into duty-free and grab yourself an overpriced multipack.

Lost your job? Soak up those tears with some truffles.

And apparently - according to some long-standing health claims - dark chocolate can also be hugely effective at relieving menstrual cramps.

In fact, it it rumoured that the sweet treat's ability to lessen the severity of period pain is the reason why so many women crave it during their time of the month.

But how much of these alleged facts are actually fiction?

Chocolate is said to relieve pain - but is this just a rumour? (Burak Karademir/Getty)

Can dark chocolate actually help period pain?

According to experts at Healthline, several small studies have found that dark chocolate actually can confront the often bed-binding agony that comes with our menstrual cycle.

One study divided 50 Indonesian boarding school students - all of whom were on the first three days of their periods - into two groups.

The first group used dark chocolate as a remedy to their pain while the other used milk chocolate.

It was found that those in the first group endured noticeably less pain than usual, compared to the latter, who claimed not to have felt a difference made by the milk chocolate.

Another study in India added further support to their assertion - using 90 students, dividing them into three groups, including a group who weren't given any chocolate at all.

This study also found that those who'd been prescribed dark chocolate recovered significantly better from their menstrual cramps, but added that those who had milk chocolate were also slightly better off health-wise than those with nothing at all.

Dark chocolate is rumoured to be more beneficial than milk chocolate (Emilija Manevska/Getty)

Why does chocolate help us feel less period pain?

Well, apparently it really is a physical thing and not in our heads.

That's because certain nutrients found in dark chocolate are thought to affect the process of the uterus actually shedding its lining.

Hormone-like lipids (called prostaglandins) are released, which trigger the uterus' contractions, which cause the pain.

However, being that magnesium is known to aid in relaxing muscles and easing contractions, it may be that when this mineral is found in chocolate, it has a part to play in easing pain.

So, being that a 70 to 85 percent bar of dark chocolate contains 15 percent of the daily magnesium value, it is believed by many that this is the most effective means of treating period pain, compared to other types.

Grab yourself a big bar of dark chocolate ahead of your next cycle (Eva-Katalin/Getty)

The bottom line: how dark chocolate helps period pain

It looks like the sweet-toothed girlies were right all along, and dark chocolate really can help you out if you're suffering with cramps.

So, if you're due on soon, make sure to stock up on some bars, because it is understood that a 40-120g daily dose of dark choc is destined to do the trick.