Japanese confectioner Ezaki Glico has made a chocolate to assist with one’s sleep.

Now that millions of overworked salarymen and office ladies can no longer catch a nap on the subway, ‘GABA for Sleep‘ claims it can restore mental balance.

It seems like just a fancy marketing term for comfort food. Or is it? The science actually says,

GABA-enriched chocolate contains 28 milligrams of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in 10 grams of chocolate.

GABA is a neurotransmitter naturally in the human brain and plays a key role in reducing stress. It also has a tranquilizing effect that assists with sleeplessness and depression. A study has shown that 100 grams of cacao contain 52 mg of GABA.

Ahhh but there is a disclaimer! The scientists from Ezaki Glico revealed that the stress-reducing effect of GABA in chocolate may not always occur because there is less GABA in the product.

We are confident that beta testing will continue in any event.