Many find chocolate irresistible - including myself. We
crave chocolate, we savor it, and we enjoy it. There comes
the passion for chocolate - or rather the chocolate
addiction.
What is the chemistry inherent in this passion or
addiction? How does it make so many of us become addicted
to chocolate?
The reason is simple: chocolate is an addicting drug.
Scientists have found that naloxone, an opiate blocker,
reduces chocolate addiction. This is strong evidence that
chocolate is addictive, just like any other drug. However,
chocolate is only a mild version of addicting drug - but
enough to have the brain effect that creates the real,
compulsive attraction.
In addition to caffeine (although not nearly as much as
coffee), chocolate contains other chemicals, such as
theobromine, phenylethylamine, that create marijuana-like
effect on the brain. Such chemical effect of chocolate on
the brain is significant and substantial, especially when
the chocolate seduction is reinforced by the smell, taste,
and texture of chocolate.
But the chocolate industry would like us to believe that
chocolate is good for our health.
Chocolate is good for you because it comes from a fruit
tree, which contains antioxidants with beneficial heart
benefits, especially dark chocolate. According to the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, chocolate reduces
your body's absorption of fat. In addition, chocolate
contains flavonoids more potent than vitamin C in reducing
your bad cholesterol.
But, is chocolate really healthy for you?
The truth of the matter is that if you absolutely love
chocolate, you would like to believe anything - especially
what you want to believe.
Firstly, most scientific studies on the health of chocolate
are funded by the industry - a valid reason to take every
positive finding with a grain of salt.
Chocolate is made from cocoa beans from a fruit tree.
Almost all plants contain antioxidants. If you really love
antioxidants, then go for vegetables and fruits, not
necessarily chocolate. The problem with chocolate is that
coca beans are so bitter that loads of fat and sugar are
added to make chocolate taste good and sweet. As a result,
chocolate is loaded with calories, sixty percent of which
come from fat, which contributes to cholesterol increase
and weight gain. One ounce of chocolate contains as much as
one-hundred-fifty calories with forty to fifty percent fat.
M&M semisweet baking chocolate contains a whopping almost
four hundred calories, over ten grams of saturated fat and
more than forty grams of sugar! Do you honestly think these
ingredients are healthy for you?
In addition, chocolate, which contains caffeine, not only
irritates your kidneys and thins your blood, but also
changes your mood.
Chocolate is unhealthy due to its unhealthy ingredients,
which may cause headaches, obesity, heartburn, and
emotional problems. If you must eat chocolate occasionally,
go for quality ones, not the cheap ones which are mostly
sugar, trans fats, artificial colorings, flavorings, and
preservatives. Read the label! Watch out for additives and
added fats! Or simply resist the chocolate temptation, if
you can!
Eat chocolate just because you like it, and not because it
is healthy!
If chocolate does not make you any healthier, does it make
you happier?
A study of self-confessed chocolate addicts found that
chocolate could give them a sense of contentment. However,
the pleasure was accompanied by a sense of guilt, which
could trigger an eating disorder. Worse, chocolate cravings
were not driven by hunger: they binged on chocolate even
when they were full.
If you crave chocolate only occasionally, you need not be
overtly concerned. However, if you binge on chocolate, it
could spell trouble down the road. Chocolate can do a lot
more than just packing on the pounds if the addiction
intensifies. The addictive effects differ from one person
to the next. So it is of paramount importance that you pay
attention to how chocolate affects your mood.
----------------------------------------------------
Stephen Lau is a researcher, writing medical research for
doctors and scientists. His publications include "NO
MIRACLE CURES" a book on healing and wellness. He has also
created several websites on health and healing, including
the following:
http://www.longevityforyou.com
http://www.rethinkyourdepression.com
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