Pain relief by ... water or chocolate!

Eating a bar of chocolate or drinking a glass of water has the effect of relieving the feeling of pain - affirmed by research by Chicago University scientists (USA).

New research was done in experimental mice, but scientists believe that the effect is similar when applied to humans.

According to Dr. Peggy Mason, the experimental mice, showed less pain when given chocolate or water. In their experiments, the team fed rats or chocolate, or drank sugar, or purified water. Experimental cage floor is heated by a light bulb placed below.

(Photo: Nydailynews)

The mice responded to heat by bending one leg up.

However, while eating or drinking water, the experimental mice kept their feet on the floor longer than when there was no ' sipping '. It was found that, when eating sweets or drinking water, the rats' bodies produced less glucocorticoids (a chemical that often occurs when the subject faces stress).

The reaction of rats when eating chocolate or drinking water is the same. However, when replacing chocolate / water with quinine water - bitter, experimental mice responded to the heat on the floor as fast as when they were not fed anything.

The team believes that if tested in humans, the analgesic effect of chocolate and water is similar.

Previous studies have shown that children experience better pain when injected if adults eat candy or drink sugar. However, with this study, it is likely that we do not need to " lure " children with sweet candy anymore, instead, just a glass of pure water is enough.

The study is published in the Journal of Neuroscience (USA).