Ask the Expert: Why Does Chocolate Make You Thirsty?

We all know February 14th is all about hearts, flowers and romantic dinners. This year, Americans are predicted to spend more than $23.9 billion on their sweethearts and families. That’s an average of nearly $175 a person.

Those gourmet chocolates sure taste great, but why do they always make us so thirsty?

Why Do Those Valentine’s Chocolates Make Us Thirsty?

Dr. Joshua Thurman says, “Chocolate and other candies (and ice cream) make you thirsty because of their salt and sugar content. When your body absorbs salt and sugar it also needs water to keep the overall concentration of these substances the same. It is the same reason that bars serve peanuts and pretzels. The salt in these foods makes you thirsty. This is the body’s way of getting you to keep the concentration of salt in the blood where it should be. While beer and other drinks have some hydration value, water is still the ultimate thirst quencher and is also the most efficient way to balance out the salt and sugar that you eat.”

Chocolate + Water = A Happy Valentine’s Day

While most of us might prefer to pair our chocolate with wine this Valentine’s Day, water is the best way to combat the thirst you might be feeling from those sweets. Consider hydrating early, before your Valentine’s celebration. Have a hard time remembering to drink your water during the day? Perhaps a smart water bottle that never lets you forget, and that tracks every sip, is the perfect gift this year.



Think about this: maybe mom or the love of your life would rather have the bottle than the chocolates. After all, water is calorie-free, they will look and feel healthier and love that bottle forever!

ABOUT OUR EXPERT

Dr. Joshua Thurman, MD is a board-certified nephrologist and Professor of Medicine specializing in renal medical diseases and hypertension at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and his undergraduate degree from Harvard University. He has been in practice for more than 22 years.