# Study: Chocolate Cravings Caused By Gut Bacteria? By Ben Preiss | Published 2007-10-16 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/craving-chocolate-thank-the-bacteria-in-your-gut References: [news.wired](http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/D/DIET_CHOCOLATE_CRAVING?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-10-12-04-34-48) & [theaustralian.news.au](http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22512991-12377,00.html) According to a recent study, the difference between people who crave chocolate and those who don't, is that the cravers are host to bacteria that "need" that chocolate. Everybody has a very large and diverse population of [bacteria living in their digestive tract](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-latte-with-probiotics). The composition of these populations varies from person to person. A recent British study found that half of people that suffer from [depression crave chocolate](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/focus-chocolate-20) and feel better when they eat it. Is that just the bacteria messing with their heads? I think the scientists have some work to do here. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 62% | Activity: 7% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Chocolate Cravings:** Opportunity for developing innovative products or services that cater to individuals experiencing chocolate cravings. - **Gut Bacteria:** Potential for disruptive technologies or therapies targeting gut bacteria to control or alter chocolate cravings. - **Digestive Health:** Opportunity for developing products or solutions that promote a healthy gut microbiome and reduce chocolate cravings. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food & Beverage:** Innovative food and beverage companies can explore creating snacks or drinks that satisfy chocolate cravings in a healthier way. - **Health & Wellness:** Disruptive products or services in the health and wellness industry can target gut bacteria to modify chocolate cravings and improve mental well-being. - **Life Sciences:** Companies in the life sciences industry can research and develop new therapies or interventions that modulate gut bacteria to alleviate chocolate cravings and improve overall health. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mood-Boosting Chocolate Probiotics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mindable-1714.md) - [Probiotic Chocolate Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-with-probiotics.md) - [Gut-Friendly Functional Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meiji-chocolate.md) - [Probiotic Chocolate Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ele-chocolates-probiotics.md) - [Cramp Relief Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bloody-delicious-chocolate.md) - [Candy-Inspired Probiotic Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/belliwelli-crunchy-peanut-butter-chocolate.md) - [Scientific Artificial Tongues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dr-siavash-soltanahmadi.md) - [Desire-Detecting Chocolate Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/desire-a-bar.md) - [Heart Health Dark Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kocoatrait-dark-chocolates.md)