Chocolate for Pain? Study Reveals Why Comfort Foods Are a Go-To for Chronic Pain - Video

More than two-thirds of people living with chronic pain turn to comfort foods like chocolate to cope, according to new research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. The study highlights how food can offer momentary relief, pleasure, and distraction during painful flare-ups but may also contribute to long-term health risks, including obesity and increased pain.

Chronic pain, defined as pain lasting three months or more, affects one in five people globally, making it a significant public health concern. Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) surveyed 141 adults with chronic pain to explore the reasons behind pain-induced comfort eating. The results revealed that 51.8% of participants turned to food “to have a pleasant experience,” while 49.6% cited “distraction,” and 39% aimed “to reduce emotions.”

Dr Amy Burton, a co-author and clinical psychology lecturer, noted the nuanced psychological and biological motivations behind this behavior. “Comfort eating wasn’t just for the purpose of distraction or numbing negative feelings, although those were important too. For many, eating comfort foods provided a nice experience in their day and something to look forward to.”

She added that high-calorie foods might also have a biological effect. “It’s possible that there is a real analgesic property to these foods as well.”

However, nearly 40% of participants met the criteria for obesity, pointing to a potentially harmful cycle. “In the short-term, high-calorie food makes people feel better. It reduces pain symptoms and enhances pain tolerance. Long-term, it can fuel weight gain and inflammation, which increases pressure on joints and makes pain worse; and that can trap people in a spiral that’s very hard to break.” said Professor Toby Newton-John, Head of the UTS Graduate School of Health.

The researchers urge clinicians to incorporate dietary guidance into chronic pain management strategies, not to shame patients, but to offer healthier coping alternatives.

Reference: Roche, C., Burton, A. & Newton-John, T. Eating to Feel Better: The Role of Comfort Eating in Chronic Pain. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 32, 460–467 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-025-10064-6