Chocolate has been a part
of courtships, anniversaries, and romantic whatnots for so long that it is now
synonymous to romance and love. It even antedates the time when Valentine's Day
first became a tradition for lovebirds.
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Sweetness represents
love, and chocolate fits the job
description perfectly. This mouth-watering dessert appeals not only to the
palate but to the senses as well. However, chocolate did not have an easy time
convincing people of its magic when it first became a public commodity.
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Its ability to abruptly change emotions and moods was not widely accepted as a good thing in medieval times. The Mayans thought of it as a food from the devil as it changes emotion upon tasting, just like how a demon suddenly changes someone it possesses. Even the Catholic Church banned chocolate for a time until the Pope himself tasted it and decided it was too delicious to be the demon's gift to mankind. How's that for double standard?
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| Photo courtesy of Free Digital Photos |
But how did chocolate get
winded up with lovers and Valentine’s Day? Is there a scientific proof to back
up the claim?
Now you have more reasons
to buy and pig-out on your favorite brand (mine is Hershey's Dark Choc). Yes, it's official! Chocolate is
indeed the food for the lovers, traditionally and scientifically speaking.
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| Photo courtesy of Free Digital Photos |
Chocolate works like an aphrodisiac. No need for witchcraft or some mysterious plant extract from the Amazon. From the raw ingredient extracted from Theobroma cacao to the processed, branded chocolate that we know, a chemical is contained that we unconsciously ingest together with all the bitter-sweet contents.
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| Photo courtesy of Free Digital Photos |
Chocolate is rich in a substance called phenylethylamine
that when taken into the body triggers our brain to produce an enzyme called anandamide. Guess what this enzyme is
for? It emulates the feeling of being
in love, lightens up mood, and
most of the time, and suppresses any budding sadness or anger. The same
mechanism as how enzymes make your stomach churn when mad or nervous is applied
here.
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| Photo courtesy of Free Digital Photos |
Try eating a bar or two
after a long, stressful day at work, or when you just had heartbreak. It will
surely change the mood for you.
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