Chocolate is a native food of South America. Beans of the Theobroma cacao tree are dried, shelled, fermented and ground with sugar, fats and other flavorings to produce the wide variety of dark and milk chocolate confections on the market. Chocolate was also used without sweeteners in many savory native South American dishes. Mood altering chemicals give chocolate consumers a pleasantly happy sensation.
Stimulants
Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, caffeine, theobromine, methylxanthines and other stimulants that increase blood pressure, blood sugar and heart rate, according to the University of Washington. These stimulants cause increased alertness and a sense of contentment, even mimicking the sensation of being in love, which may explain why chocolate is associated with romance. The stimulants in chocolate increase the neurotransmitter activity of the brain, providing a lift or pick-me-up sensation much like that of drinking a cup of coffee.
Anandamide
Chocolate contains a neurotransmitter called anandamide that binds to the same receptors in the brain as tetrahydrocannibinol, or THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Chocolate does not contain THC, but anandamide can also make consumers feel pleasantly happy. Additional chemicals in chocolate also prevent anandamide from breaking down quickly, so that the feel-good sensation lasts for a longer period of time, according to researcher Daniele Piomelli at The Exporatorium. Chocolate also triggers the body's production of endorphins, or natural opiates, and seratonin, a mood-altering chemical, according to mental health professional Diana Walcutt. These add to the pleasant feeling associated with eating chocolate and may make it mildly addictive.
Minerals
Chocolate is rich in minerals, especially magnesium, iron and copper, according to the Rush University Medical Center. Mineral deficiency can negatively affect mood, so consuming mineral-rich chocolate may boost mood in mineral deficient individuals. Low iron can contribute to depression and slowed cognitive function, according to Dr. John Briffa, a London nutrition specialist. Magnesium deficiency can cause fatigue, and affect the electrical activity of the brain causing seizures and personality changes, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
Considerations and Warnings
Never feed chocolate to a dog. Canines can not process the chemical theobromine found in chocolate, and it may prove fatal to the animal, according to the University of Washington. Very young children may also have trouble processing theobromine, so chocolate may make toddlers ill. The caffeine and theobromine in chocolate elevate heart rate, so individuals with cardiovascular health problems should speak to their physicians to determine they may safely eat chocolate. Most chocolate products have a high fat and sugar content, so moderation, especially in those with blood sugar management concerns, is crucial. Dark chocolate is higher in minerals and other nutrients than milk chocolate, and white chocolate does not contain real chocolate.
References
- University of Washington Neuroscience for Kids; Discovering the Sweet Mysteries of Chocolate; Ellen Kuwana; October 1, 2010
- Exploratorium Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception; The Sweet Lure of Chocolate; Daniele Piomelli
- PsychCentral.com; Chocolate and Mood Disorders; Diana L. Walcutt PhD
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Magnesium
- Rush University Medical Center; It's Healthy to Show a Little Love for Chocolate; Gretchen Witowich; February 2011
- DrBriffa.com; Mental Fatigue--Iron Deficiency Found to Slow Brain Function in Women; John Briffa MD; March 2007
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