Health Benefits of Chocolate -

When you feel down and on the verge of succumbing to depression, instead of drowning your sorrows with bottles of beer or wine, why not try eating a bar of chocolate or a few pieces from a delicious box of dark chocolates? According to several studies, chocolates produce serotonin in the brain which triggers feelings of happiness and a natural high. These studies also discovered that chocolate has more than 300 chemical substances that may contribute to promoting good health. Eating a bar of chocolate (especially dark chocolate) is said to lower bad cholesterol and contribute to longer life.

Chocolates do not only have that distinct smell and addicting taste but stimulate a variety of chemical reactions in the brain. These chemicals create sensations that make chocolates seem like aphrodisiacs and appropriately called "food of the gods." In addition, the tropical cacao tree seeds of Theobroma (a Greek word that actually means "food of the gods") were linked to the Aztec goddess of fertility named Xochiquetzal. Other chemicals that are found in chocolates are trytophan that gives you a feeling of ecstasy and phenyllethylamine which acts like amphetamine giving you a giddy feeling and a warm inner glow.

The endorphins stimulated by eating chocolates can give you a relaxing and giddy feeling. According to studies, the melting sensation of chocolate in your mouth can increase brain activity and heart rate. The feeling created when chocolate is slowly dissolving in the mouth is more intense than passionate kissing and this sensation lasts four times more. However, eating chocolates doesn't only create good feelings but also prolongs life.

Many supercentenarians (people whose ages are 100 and beyond) were found to have a liking for eating a lot of chocolate during their lifetime. This goes to show that eating chocolates promotes good health and long life. It is believed that the oleic acid found in the cocoa butter in chocolates raises good cholesterol while flavinoids, another chemical found in chocolates, helps blood from clotting. Other health benefits encouraged by eating chocolates include increase of antioxidant levels in the blood, slows down decline in brain function, soothes the throat to prevent fits of coughing, and even as a means to prevent cancer.

Next time, instead of raising a glass of champagne to toast to a long life, raise up a bar of chocolate or a dark chocolate from an assortment of chocolates. It makes you just as giddy as champagne. It is also healthier!