Chocolate was originally used as a medicine, and only became a magnificent confection in the 19th century. Native to Central and Latin America, the beans of the cocoa plant have been used by indigenous people to treat depression, fatigue, weight gain and poor libido for thousands of years
What does a suitor bring his date? A box of chocolates! What does a husband bring a wife when he has been behaving badly? A box of chocolates. Chocolate and love go hand in hand. But what do scientists have to say about this delicious commodity?
Chocolate contains valeric acid, a relaxant, sedative and tranquilizer, and it is known to be an ‘anti-hysteric’. It also contains the neurotransmitter dopamine, which acts as a relaxant. Chocolate relaxes and love tends to flourish in a relaxed setting.
Chocolate also contains phytosterols that may mimic human sex hormones. Some women may crave chocolate at certain times of the month because it provides them with something they need. Research into the effect of chocolate on hormones is still in its infancy, but it is thought that chocolate’s activity may go beyond the hormonal to the pheromonal level. Pheromones are the compounds produced by our bodies that make us attractive to the opposite sex.
People who feel tired often reach for a chocolate bar, seemingly with good reason, as chocolate contains the stimulant theobromine, a substance related to caffeine. Research has shown that, like caffeine, theobromine stimulates nerve function, but it does not have the negative side-effects associated with caffeine. Chocolate also contains the anti-anxiety compound, glutamic acid, which counter balances the stimulant effect of theobromine.
Theobromine acts as an anorexic, which makes one feel less hungry, and chocolate contains compounds that speed the metabolism, which means you burn more fat while using it.
Many people eat chocolate when they feel a little depressed. Chocolate beans contain amino acids, many of which have been shown to have an antidepressant activity. The list of anti-depressant amino acids includes tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine. Tryptophan has been shown to increase the body’s production of serotonin, an antidepressant produced by our bodies.
The bad news of course is that, while chocolate has many wonderful attributes, it also has kilojoules and fat. But, if eaten in moderation, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of chocolate without hurting your heart or waistline.