Chocolate has long been associated with passion, romance and love. This association may go all the way back to the Aztecs. They believed chocolate was a source of spiritual wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power. Chocolate was widely used as a nuptial aid and was widely served at wedding ceremonies. The Aztecs did not know chocolate as we do today; they consumed the cocoa as a drink. Reports indicate that the Emperor Montezuma consumed large quantities of the drink every day and always fortified himself with a cup before entertaining his harem. The explorer Cortes reported to Carlos I of Spain that chocolate is “… the divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink enables a man to walk for a whole day without food.” From the earliest times, chocolate was considered a substance of power and a source of vitality.
Chocolate has been a subject of study since the first shipment from Veracruz arrived in Spain in 1585. But modern science has made some interesting findings that may help explain our lust for quality chocolate. Chocolate contains organic substances known as alkaloids. The most important of these substances is theobromine, which works as a stimulant to the kidneys. Stimulants in chocolate also affect the central nervous system, with effects similar to caffeine, which is also present in chocolate. A chocolate bar may contain as much as 200 mg of theobromine but only about 25 mg of caffeine. Another important substance found in chocolate is phenylethylamine, which is part of a group of chemicals known as endorphins. Endorphins have an effect similar to amphetamine and are found naturally in the human body. When endorphins are released into the bloodstream, the mood is lifted and feelings of positive energy are reached. The sensation known as “runners high” is caused by endorphins released during exercise. Phenylethylamine levels in the brain have also been linked to “falling in love”. One more chemical found in chocolate is seratonin. Seratonin is known for its calming properties. The presence of these chemicals may explain the multitude of feelings chocolate evokes.
Debra Waterhouse, author of Why Women Need Chocolate, conducted a survey and found: 97% of women reported cravings, 68% of which are for chocolate, 50% would choose chocolate over sex, and 22% were more likely than men to choose chocolate as a mood elevator. These findings could easily be interpreted as a result of how chocolate makes us feel. I don’t know why more women choose chocolate than men, for I am a man and I love chocolate.
Critics would say that the benefits of eating chocolate are small when compared to the sugar and fat contained in a chocolate bar. The best chocolate, dark chocolate with high cacao butter content has no added fat, as well as a high percentage of cacao solids and correspondingly less sugar. Although chocolate will never be considered a health food based on its nutritional value, it is still good for you! Good for your heart and soul-anything that helps relieve stress and makes you feel so good must be.
A team of Swiss researchers studied the effects of dark bitter chocolate on the heart. They found it had a favorable effect. They said the anti-oxidants from chocolate can prevent blood veins becoming too small and narrow. If veins are too narrow blood has trouble circulating, which obviously can contribute to many problems.
The researchers studied a group of 20 volunteers who were smokers without manifest health problems. The study subjects were asked to avoid eating any food rich in anti-oxidants, including apples, cabbages and onions. They were each given 40 grams of various kinds of chocolate to eat after the main daily meal.
Two hours after eating the chocolate, they were administered an echo-graph, which measures blood flow.
The echo-graph tests indicated that dark chocolate with a cocoa percent of at least 74% significantly improved blood flow. After eating dark bitter chocolate the risk of blood blockages decreased to half the initial risk.
However, white chocolate did not produce the same results. The researchers attributed this difference to the significantly higher percentage of antioxidants per gram in dark chocolate versus lighter chocolate. Dark chocolate has a higher percentage per gram of ant-oxidant even compared to other foods noted for their anti-oxidant properties, such as green tea, forest fruits (such as blueberries) and red wine.
Chocolate may be attractive from a medical standpoint because of its anti-oxidant properties. But the downside of chocolate is its high calorie content. In addition to good ingredients, it also contains fats and glucose in abundance. Needless to say, it can contribute to weight gain.
A prudent consumer of chocolate adjusts chocolate intake to body weight and the amount of physical exertion done per day. Sedentary chocolate eater must exercise caution and discipline in order to avoid needless weight gain. People who have some sort of exercise routine cut down their risks of weight gain due to chocolate consumption. It’s as easy as that!
Receiving a nicely wrapped box of chocolates causes a sense of anticipation. The pleasure of unwrapping the box, the sensual smell, lifting the soft seductive papers, the look of the smooth dark chocolates. When it finally passes your lips and starts to instantly melt filling your mouth with exquisite pleasure. The taste and smell flood your senses with overwhelming ecstasy. Eating it slowly, taking time to enjoy and savor every bit. What better way to start off an evening of love?
Source:
http://www.valentinesdaysucks.info/2010/01/chocolate-medicine-for-your-heart_12.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Eisen
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