Chocolate has been called many things by many
different people but it is known as an antidepressant, tonifier, stimulant,
euphoriant, and even aphrodisiac! What does science say?
Chocolate is exceptional high-energy food
relative to its small volume. It is considered a food that promotes effort
whether intellectual or physical. Chocolate’s chemical composition includes
carbohydrates (starch, diverse sugars), fats (cocoa butter), and vegetable
proteins. Minerals can also be found in chocolate: potassium and magnesium in
large amounts, calcium and sodium in small amounts, and iron in trace amounts.
Chocolate also contains vitamins A1, B1, B2, D, and E.
The pleasure derived from chocolate is
believed to stimulate the secretion of endorphins, natural opiates. At least
five pharmaco-dynamic (producing reactions in humans) substances are found in
small amounts: Theobromine, Caffeine, Phenylethylamine, Anandamide and
Serotonin.
Theobromine stimulates the central nervous
system and the appetite, facilitates muscular activity, and has diuretic and a
cardiotonic effect.
Caffeine increases resistance to fatigue,
enhances intellectual activity, and increases watchfulness. The amount of
caffeine in one chocolate bar is about a third of the caffine in a cup of
coffee.
Phenylethylamine has a chemical structure
similar to amphetamines and contains psycho-stimulating properties. Chocolate
contains the highest concentration in any food of phenylethylamine, which is
the chemical produced in the brain when a person is in love. Phenylethylamine
combines with dopamine to produce a mild antidepressant effect. All of these
stimulants increase the activity of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) in
parts of the brain that control our ability to pay attention and stay alert.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (substance
freed by the nerve endings) in the cerebral cortex. Its quantity is often found
to be lower during certain nervous depression states. The serotonin found in
chocolate helps correct its initial loss. Caffeine and saccharose stimulate the
body's stimulation of serotonin.
Anandamide also affects brain chemistry to
produce feelings of calm and well being. The effect is quite small but
noticeable.
Research has proven that when people strongly
crave chocolate, low-quality candy won't fix the craving. Very high fat, dark
chocolate which transports plenty of cannabinoid cousins, along with natural
opiate inducing cocoa butter is what they crave.
Chocolate contains more than 300 known
chemicals
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180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA 93257
559-561-3391
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