Chocolate and Asthma Aggravation

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Chocolate and Asthma Aggravation

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Question:

Does chocolate aggravate asthma?

Answer:

It is possible for chocolate to aggravate asthma, but in most cases the trouble does not come from an allergy to chocolate.

Chocolate can worsen acid reflux. Chocolate can relax the sphincter (muscular ring) between the esophagus and stomach, causing the sphincter to open. This sends stomach acid up and into the throat. Acid reflux is a very common trigger for asthma.

If you notice that your asthma is worse after eating chocolate, you can avoid chocolate. Other well-known triggers include alcohol, fatty foods, smoking, and food that contain peppermint. People with acid reflux can improve their asthma symptoms by using an acid-blocking medication, such as omeprazole (Prilosec).

Depending upon the chocolate product, additives or contaminating proteins (such as milk protein or traces of nuts) might be present. Although allergy to chocolate is rare, allergies to nuts and other ingredients can occur.

Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.

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Last updated:	July 20, 2009

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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