Will Chocolate Feed Yeast Overgrowth?

Will Chocolate Feed Candida (yeast overgrowth)?

Tara Carpenter, NC.

Nutrition Consultant for people regaining natural gut microbiome after yeast, bacterial, viral infections with The Body Ecology Diet.

Raw, organic cacao powder made with gut-friendly sugar, like stevia or lakanto does not necessarily feed Candida (a.k.a. Candidiasis/yeast overgrowth) yet can irritate the digestive tract lining because chocolate contains abrasive ingredients like sulfur, phytic acid, caffeine, oxalates, and alkaloids which make chocolate an acid-forming and potentially gut-irritating food.

Many people discover late in life that they are sensitive to chocolate; especially those that have a compromised immune or digestive system. A person with leaky gut, colon inflammation, or auto-immune disorder is less able to break down irritating constituents found in chocolate.

If oxalates, sulfur, or other irritating substances in chocolate are not broken down properly they can hang out in the digestive tract and cause immune system to react negatively with allergy symptoms (i.e., hives, shortness of breath, stomach cramps, swelling of lips, vomiting).

If you have a chronic gut issue best to avoid chocolate for 3 months and go on a Gut Healing Protocol like Body Ecology Diet (B.E.D.) and hit the bulls-eye each day, each meal to improve your gut/immune health. Stick to snacks for stage 1. Once your health issues ease and you feel ready to reintroduce chocolate, see how you go. If you feel in good shape keep your dose to an ounce or less and choose raw and organic cacao because the more processed cacao is the less benefits you get and the more irritating.

Benefits of Raw Cacao

Contains flavonoids with antioxidant properties that protect cells and combat free radicals. Flavonoids contribute to heart health; by improving circulation, lowering blood pressure, and reducing plaque that can build up on artery walls. Cacao contains 8x’s the amount of antioxidants in strawberries.
Contains essential minerals, including magnesium, sulfur, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, calcium; also vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B8, and E.
Contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which affects brain chemistry in a similar fashion to falling in love. Cacao increases neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which elevates mood and lessen depression.
Contains protein and fiber.

Signs of Chocolate Sensitivity