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Chocolates - Why Women Love Chocolate
By Kate Schaffer
Chocolates are the most popular gifts for women, as evidenced by the brisk sale of Valentines chocolate. Indeed, chocolates are so desirable for most women that even non-food gifts like spa gift baskets usually contain a box of chocolates. This post looks at why women love chocolate. Most women would agree they love chocolate because it tastes good. It is creamy and sweet, and melts in the mouth. However, the reason that women love chocolate could be it can make them happy. Chocolates are made from cocoa beans, and contains several compounds that enhance feeling of well-being. These compounds include theobromine, anandamide, and phenylethylamine. Theobromine is a chemical that is found in cocoa beans. and hence it is present in chocolate. It is found at highest levels in dark chocolates, giving dark chocolates its typical bitter flavour. Theobromine is similar to caffeine (found in coffee) in its structure and effect, but is about 10 times weaker. Similar to caffeine, it has stimulant properties, and can increase alertness. Unlike caffeine, it does not affect the central nervous system. Theobromine can be used to suppress cough because it suppresses the activity of the nerve that runs from the lungs to the brain. A research study found theobromine to be more effective in suppressing cough than codeine in cough medicine. Chocolates may contain the lipid anandamide, which occurs naturally in the brain. Similar to tetrahydrocannabinol,(THC). a chemical found in marijuana. anandamide can bind to and activates cannabinoid receptors within the brain, producing effects that mimick those by cannabinoid drugs, such as increased sensitivity and euphoria. Anandamide breaks down very rapidly. In addition to increasing the level of anandamide in the brain, Chocolate also contains two other fatty acids related to anandamide. These two chemicals work to slow the breakdown of anandamide, thus extending the feeling of well-being. However, it should be noted that the amount of anandamide in chocolate is too low to produce effects similar to THC in marijuana. One would have to eat 25 pounds of chocolates in one setting to experience a similar high following marijuana use. Chocolates also contains a natural occuring compound, phenylethylamine (PEA), which is produced naturally in the brain. PEA stimulates the production and release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that affects brain processes that control movement, emotion, motivation, and pleasure. PEA is similar to amphetamine in its structure and effect, and is nicknamed "chocolate amphetamine". Like amphetamine, when PEA is released into blood, it increases heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow to major organs, leading to feelings of excitement, attraction, and mental alertness. In depressed individuals, PEA levels is found to be low in biological tissues and fluid. PEA is also called the "love-drug" becuase it causes a person's pulse rate to quicken, and produce feelings similar to those when someone is in love. However, most of the PEA is broken down in the stomach when taken orally, so it is doubtful significant amounts of PEA can reach the brain when we eat chocolates. Another reason chocolate can make you happy is because it contains alkaloids that can increase the production of endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are endogenous opiods that are produced in the brain and function as the body’s natural painkillers. During exercise, pain, stress, these endorphins are released into the brain and can lessen pain and reduce stress. Endorphins are the body’s natural feel good chemicals, and when they are released, your mood is boosted naturally. Cakes, cookies, fudge, and chocolates are known as comfort food not just because they taste good, but because they can cause the release of endorphins to make you feel calm and happy. Chocolate craving is one of the most common food cravings, especially in women. The question often asked is whether chocolate is addictive or not. It should be pointed out that although chocolates contain chemicals that may nfluence a person's feeling of well-being, their concentrations are too low to consider chocolate as a drug. Most of the chocolate available today are made from cocoa solids and cocoa butter diluted with sugar, fats and milk (for milk chocolate). In diluted chocolates, the effects are likely minimal. It has been suggested that women's craving for chocolate may be associated with hormonal and cultural influences. In conclusion, women love chocolate not just because it tastes good, but because it can make them happy. So the next time when you are feeling low, have a piece of chocolate, it will make you happy.
Kate Schaffer is the CEO of Gift Basket For All, LLC. You can visit her website, http://www.giftbasketforall.com, for gourmet gift basket, baby gift basket, corporate gifts, personalized gifts, and their extensive collections of gift baskets .
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This intel was contributed by kates
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May, 2012
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