Benefits of Chocolate consumption

           Chocolate is something that few people can resist no matter what sort of chocolate it is-dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate in boxes, nutty or raisin chocolate, exotic flavoured chocolate or expensive gourmet chocolate. Chocolate is something we love, and who can blame us? 

          Seriously! Chocolate could take over the world if it wanted-it has so much control! The effect it has on us seems to be quite profound. Research tells us that chocolate is the most commonly craved food and is considered one of the favourite foods to be consumed during emotional eating. 

          So what's the deal? Does chocolate contain some mystical ingredient that enslaves us upon consumption? Is it really addictive or are we simply making excuses for our distinct inability to say 'no'? 

History of chocolate

          Chocolate has a fascinating history, and cocoa has been used to make things that taste similar to modern chocolate for thousands of years. The ancient central American Mayan civilization though cocoa was a gift from the gods and they used it for ceremonies and even as currency. The Mayan word "cocao" actually translates to "god food",which transformed into 'food for the gods'in Latin, and was apparently mispelled to form the modern word "Cocoa" that we know today. 

🍫 Surprise! Chocolate makes you happy

           People in general crave chocolate because it tastes good, it smells good, and it feels awesome when it melts in our mouths.

           The experience of eating chocolate is what makes you happy. Eating chocolate actually releases dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter, into particular regions of the brain: the frontal lobe, hippocampus and hypothalamus.

           Dopamine is released any time you experience something that gives you joy - such as eating chocolate. What triggers dopamine to release is partially determined by genetics, but also can be conditioned based on specific preferences and life experiences.

           Some scientists originally thought that chocolate actually had some of the compounds that activate the dopamine system directly (like drugs such as cocaine or cigarettes), but a study showed that just ingesting the chemicals of chocolate was not enough to curb cravings - the experience of eating chocolate was necessary as well.

🍫 Improves brain function

           This is the best fascinating fact about chocolate, because of its potential to help older people have a better quality of life. A recent scientific study has shown that chemicals called flavanols in chocolate may be able to help with brain function, and even help to improve the effects of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Cocoa was given to elderly people with mild cognitive impairment, and it significantly improved cognition, including memory. 

🍫 Health benefits

          Most people think that chocolate is not very healthy, and this is partially true. Chocolate contains plenty of calories and sugar and fat from butter and milk, and like many other foods that we like, if we eat too much of it can make us fat and unhealthy. However, chocolate is also proven to be good for us too if we are sensible. Chocolate includes flavanol (which help to reduce cholesterol and support healthy blood flow) and other natural anti-oxidants which help boost our immunity and slow down ageing. 

🍫 Chocolate is a stress reliever

           Because dopamine is released into your brain when you eat chocolate, it can actually lower your levels of stress. This is why people often crave chocolate in stressful situations, or crave it when they are in need of comfort or reassurance. Clearly, emotions play some part in the cravings that you have. Just like people crave soup when they're sick.

🍫 Chocolate beautifies you

           Chocolate contains ingredients that help us to look younger and better. It contains many different vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B which have anti-aging effects, and also includes calcium and sulphur which are great for healthy hair, nails and good-looking skin. 

🍫 Magnesium deficiencies

           Chocolate actually contains some amounts of magnesium, a micro nutrient that a lot of people, women in particular, happen to be deficient in. Chocolate is not the top magnesium-rich food, but it is the only one in the list of top ten foods that is known for its ability to produce dopamine in the brain.

           Other foods, such as leafy greens, figs, avocados, and nuts have more magnesium, but chocolate is actually pretty high in the nutrient, with about 176 mg in a 100 g serving. This is data for dark chocolate though (above 60% cocoa), and dark chocolate is typically considered the healthier type of chocolate due to its lower amount of sugar per serving.

           Experts say that about 80% of women are deficient in magnesium, and eating dark chocolate is actually a great, tasty way to up your magnesium levels. Chocolate should not be the main way that you increase your magnesium, but it will definitely curb those cravings.

🍫 Chocoholics

          Almost everyone likes chocolate, and some people are absolutely love it, but a chocolate collector in America proves just how much he loves chocolate. Bob brown has the largest collection of chocolate bars in the world-770 different bars in total. 

Why Do We Like Chocolate?

Chocolate is good for a number of reasons:

 Humans are born with innate food preferences, one of those is for sweet foods and another is for creamy textures or the “mouth feel” of fat. Sugar makes food taste good and fat makes food feel good. Chocolate satisfies both these preferences. Add this to a pleasant aroma and distinct flavour and you get a sensory experience like nothing else.

Another way humans come to prefer certain foods is through situational experiences. Our brains make the connection between foods and the situation around that food. Foods enjoyed in good circumstances are obviously more highly preferred than foods experienced during negative circumstances. More often than not, when you first started eating chocolate it was centered around an enjoyable time or memory.

With all these benefits, you can enjoy your chocolate without any guilt. Happy eating!