36 | Discover the Pain-Fighting Secrets of Chocolate

Most people think of chocolate as a guilty pleasure, but what if the right kind could actually fight pain and inflammation? In this episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast, Stacey Roberts dives deep into the science behind dark chocolate, cocoa flavanols, and how they interact with your body’s inflammatory and nervous systems.

You’ll learn which types of chocolate could contribute to pain reduction, which ones might make it worse, and how to build a mindful, pain-friendly chocolate ritual. Whether you’re managing chronic joint pain or just love a good square of dark chocolate, this episode is packed with tasty, science-backed takeaways.

[00:00:00] – Chocolate boosts serotonin and dopamine for better mood and pain resilience

[00:00:34] – The Pain-Free Formula mission and Stacey’s message of hope

[00:01:27] – Welcome and topic reveal: The truth about chocolate and pain

[00:02:20] – The science behind cocoa and flavonoids

[00:03:07] – How dark chocolate reduces inflammation and oxidative stress

[00:03:36] – Chocolate’s impact on fibromyalgia, fatigue, and endorphins

[00:03:59] – The problem with most chocolate: sugar, dairy, and processed fats

[00:04:28] – How milk proteins block polyphenol absorption

[00:04:49] – Additives, shelf life, and hidden inflammation

[00:05:10] – The “good, bad, and bittersweet”: breaking down chocolate types

[00:05:36] – Why dark chocolate (70–90%) is the best choice for inflammation

[00:06:00] – What to look for: non-alkalized cocoa for maximum benefit

[00:06:06] – Milk chocolate: low cocoa, high sugar, and lost benefits

[00:06:36] – White chocolate: no antioxidants, all inflammation

[00:07:00] – Cacao nibs: the unprocessed superfood

[00:07:26] – The chocolate-hormone connection: serotonin, dopamine, and magnesium

[00:08:26] – When sugar and milk cancel out chocolate’s benefits

[00:08:49] – The nervous system connection: overactivation vs. rest-and-digest

[00:09:11] – Stacey’s “Pain-Free Formula Chocolate Ritual”

[00:09:33] – How to pair chocolate with healthy fats for better absorption

[00:09:53] – Mindful eating to activate healing and parasympathetic tone

[00:10:42] – Spice it up: turmeric and cinnamon as chocolate enhancers

[00:11:00] – The verdict: dark chocolate = medicine for your mitochondria

[00:12:00] – You don’t have to settle for pain—healing is possible

Safety Reminders

Choose high-quality dark chocolate (85%+ cacao) and avoid dairy-laden, sugar-filled varieties. If you’re experiencing pain flare-ups even with a clean diet, you may have hidden food sensitivities.

Call us for food sensitivity testing:

📞 414-299-8121

📧 [e-mail]

References & Further Reading

• Schümann, G., et al. (2008). The anti-inflammatory properties of cocoa flavanols. British Journal of Nutrition, 99, 777–786.
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• Ramirez-Sanchez, I., et al. (2020). Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Nociceptive Effects of Cocoa: A Review. Pain and Therapy, 9, 415–430.
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• Starowicz, P., et al. (2021). Chocolate intake and muscle pain sensation: A randomized cross-over trial. PLOS ONE.
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• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2023). Dark chocolate is best choice for health—but don’t turn it into medicine.
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• UCLA Health. (2018). Dear Doctors: How much do sugar and additives impair dark chocolate’s benefits?
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Important Links

• Pain-Free Formula Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pain-free-formula/id1802518411
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