Chocolate giftsWhy do gourmet chocolate gifts make people happy? If you think it's all in their heads - you may be right!
Most chocoholics will tell you that they love chocolate because it makes them happy. The question is, why does it make us happy? Of course, our taste buds will confess to to the pleasures of gourmet chocolate...but is there something else going on behind the scenes - in our heads?
1. According to BBC Science & Nature, there is. They say that chocolate contains the natural 'love drug', known as tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. Tryptophan is used by our brains to create serotonin.
A lack of serotonin is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. In a study from Hull York Medical School, researchers found that participants eating dark chocolate experienced less fatigue than those who ate white chocolate dyed brown. They believed that because dark chocolate is high in polyphenols, it improves the level of serotonin in the brain. High levels of serotonin diminish anxiety and can produce extreme happiness, working in a similar way to the drug ecstasy, although to a much lesser effect.
2. Chocolate also contains phenylethlamine, known as the "love chemical" which stimulates the brain's pleasure centers - which might be why chocolate has often been identified as an aphrodisiac.
3. Anandamide is another component which create something akin to a 'natural high'. For a flash movie to see exactly how anandamide works, check out BBC's online science hot topics chocolate.
4. Chocolate also contains small amounts of caffeine that increase dopamine levels. Dopamine also activates the pleasure centers of the brain.
Gourmet chocolate often contains more cocoa, and more cocoa means more of the good stuff, good for your brain and your heart, with more antioxidant properties. Look for gifts for chocolate lovers that contains at least 70% cocoa solids. Also, look for gifts made with cocoa butter which is better for your heart than palm or coconut oil.
Article Source : http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_R._Parker
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