Table 2.
Overview of provocative studies evaluating the effect of chocolate on migraine attacks. Abbreviations: TTH–tension type headache.
| Author (Year) |
Study Design | Placebo | Chocolate/Placebo Amount | Study Group: Type of Headache (Number of Participants) |
Study Population Age (Years) |
Chocolate/Cocoa Reported as a Trigger Factor (%) before the Study | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus, D., 1997 [78] | Double-blind study | Carob | 60 g | Headache (n = 63), 50% migraine, 37.5% TTH, 12.5 migraine + TTH |
28,3 | 17.5 | No significant difference of migraine attacks between chocolate and placebo. |
| Gibb, C., 1991 [83] | Double-blind, placebo controlled trial | Carob powder, coberine (non-cocoa vegetable fat) |
40 g | Migraine (n = 20) |
Chocolate 37 Placebo 42 |
100 | 41.7% developed headaches after chocolate ingestion, none after placebo. |
| Moffet, A.M., 1974 [82] | Double-blind, placebo controlled trial | Synthetic fat made from non-cocoa containing vegetable oils with added sugar, coloring, and flavoring | 44 g | Migraine (n = 25) |
Mean 49 Range 22–62 |
100 | No significant difference of migraine attacks between chocolate and placebo. |