Chocolate is addictive!

1. Chocolate is made from the seeds of the tropical tree, Theobroma cacao. Theobroma is the Greek word for "food of the gods." In Aztec society, chocolate was a food for the gods, it was reserved only for priests, warriors, and nobles.

1. The Aztecs used cocoa beans to make a hot, frothy and bitter drink called chocolatl. Chocolatl was a sacred brew associated with fertility and wisdom. The Aztecs also thought it might have stimulant and restorative properties.

1. In 1528 this bitter drink was first introduced in Europe. It was not until 1876 that milk, cocoa powder and cocoa butter were combined into what we now know as chocolate.

1. Today, chocolate production and consumption is normal all over the world. People say they crave chocolate more than any other form of food. In America, people eat an average of 5 kilos of chocolate per year. Why do people crave chocolate?

1. Of course, chocolate tastes very good. It has a beautiful texture and it melts in our mouth. But surely there must be something more that makes people give so much for it? There are plenty of other foods that are very tasty.

2. Naturally, chocolate tastes very good. It has a beautiful texture and it melts in our mouth. But surely there must be something more that makes people give so much for it? There are plenty of other foods that are very tasty.

1. The truth behind this is that chocolate is made up of substances associated with our mood, emotion, and addiction. Many people eat chocolate as a "comfort food" search, something they eat when you are sad. People are more likely to reach for a bar of chocolate when they are depressed or when they have a lot of stress.

1. So the question is, what are the addictive properties of chocolate? Do people want to eat chocolate because their bodies and brains are addicted to the chemicals contained in the chocolate or is it possible that humans may have a psychological addiction to it?

What's in chocolate?

1. Substances in chocolate, such as phenylethylamine, theobromine, anandamide and tryptophan, all cause chemicals and neurotransmitters to be released in our brain. These make us feel better and have a better mood. Phenylethylamine is a chemical in the body that is similar to amphetamine. It creates feelings of rashness, attraction, euphoria and excitement.

2. Substances in chocolate, such as phenylethylamine, theobromine, anandamide and tryptophan, all cause chemicals and neurotransmitters to be released in our brains. These make us feel better and have a better mood. Phenylethylamine is a chemical in the body that is similar to amphetamine. It creates feelings of rashness, attraction, euphoria and excitement.

1. Researchers believe that phenylethylamine causes the brain to release mesolimbic dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain. These centers also peak during an orgasm. This may be one reason why many women report that they prefer to eat chocolate over have sex.

2. Researchers believe that phenylethylamine causes the brain to release mesolimbic dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain. These centers also peak during an orgasm. This may be one of the reasons why many women report that they would rather eat chocolate than have sex.

1. However, most experiments have shown that the greatest amount of phenylethylamine in chocolate is broken down before it reaches our brains. So the amount of phenylethylamine that actually reaches our brains is still unknown.

Theobromine

1. Theobromine is structurally closely related to caffeine, but has only one-tenth of the stimulant effect of caffeine. Although theobromine is a weak stimulant, it can increase the heart rate. And, not taking theobromine has been shown to cause problems with migraines.

1. The amount of theobromine in commercial chocolate varies from brand to brand. Milk chocolate bars contain the lowest amounts of theobromine. This makes it unlikely that theobromine could be solely responsible for any chocolate addiction.

Anandamide

1. In the mid-1990s, research showed that chocolate contains substances that mimic the effects of marijuana. It turned out that anandamide, naturally produced in the brain but also present in chocolate, activates the same cellular receptors as THC, the agent in marijuana that provides the â € ˜highâ € ™.

1. When a person smokes marijuana, THC travels to the brain and activates all cannabinoid receptors. Enzymes break down anandamide shortly after it is produced by the brain, thus limiting the duration of the pleasant "high". However, chocolate does not contain enough anandamide to produce a high like marijuana

Tryptophan

1. In addition to these marijuana-like substances, chocolate also contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid. This amino acid plays a role in the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is a calming neurotransmitter that makes people feel relaxed and satisfied. It is therefore essential for a balanced mood.

1. Many people eat chocolate to relieve anxiety, but tryptophan alone is unlikely to be responsible for chocolate cravings or a chocolate addiction. The reason this is unlikely is because we could get it from many other food sources, such as carbohydrates.

Biologically active agents

1. Chocolate contains biologically active agents that increase the amount of serotonin released in the brain, extend how long the effects of anandamide remain in the brain, provide mild stimulant effects, and indicate that the mesolimbic dopamine must be released. However, few studies have investigated the role of bioactive compounds in causing people to become addicted to chocolate.

1. In a 1994 study, men and women were given milk chocolate, white chocolate (without cocoa), cocoa capsules (without the sensory components of chocolate), and placebo capsules. The researchers found that only milk chocolate fully satisfied the chocolate needs of the test subjects.

1. The researchers found that both men and women preferred white chocolate over the cocoa capsules. This would suggest that the addiction to chocolate could be attributed to the aroma, texture, sweetness and psychological associations with chocolate.

Psychological associations with chocolate

1. Psychological associations with chocolate are affected by a variety of things, including hormonal and cultural actions. Many researchers state that women want chocolate before their period because it contains a high level of magnesium.

1. Women already experience a magnesium deficiency before menstruation. However, many other undesired foods with a high level of magnesium are not that popular

1. Debra Zellner, PhD, a psychologist and professor at Shippensburg University, believes that women crave chocolate because it has become a nutritional taboo. It tastes great, but it is â € sinâ € ™ because it is packed with fat and calories. Zellner conducted a study looking at the cravings for chocolate in Hispanic and American women.

1. She found out that the Spanish women, who do not see chocolate as a taboo, liked to eat chocolate much less than the American women did. According to Zellner, a possible chocolate addiction was therefore a psychological addiction instead of a physical addiction.

Tips to reduce chocolate cravings

1. If you can satisfy a chocolate craving with two chocolate peanuts or a mini bar then it is of course no problem. However, if it's not that easy, there are other suggestions you can use:

1. Whether chocolate addiction exists or not, most people are left with the simple, yet often frustrating, advice to eat everything in moderation. Our optimal health depends less on our behavior but more on the hundreds of small but important choices we make every day.

1. The next time you find yourself craving chocolate, give it a little extra thought. Instead of grabbing your favorite bar, take a few seconds and think about whether you want to satisfy this craving. That's the best way to make sure you understand what's coming and what's not coming in.

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