Chocolate has a reputation as a strong aphrodisiac, that is, a product that increases sexual desire. The source of this claim, at least for the modern era, is based on a suggestion by Columbia University psychologist Michael Leibovitz in his 1983 book The Chemistry of Love.
In it he describes the action of chocolate as one of the most accessible aphrodisiacs, because of the phenethylamine (PEA) it contains. This substance is produced by our brain and acts as a stimulant for the production of dopamine - a hormone responsible for the feeling of pleasure when approaching the desired goal for a person (sex, eating tasty food, etc.).
In relatively high concentration (0.4-6.6 micrograms per gram) PEA is present in chocolate. This led the scientists to the logical conclusion that the consumption of chocolate leads to the same effect as the production of phenylethylamine in natural conditions.
It turned out that not everything is so simple. The substance is destroyed by our digestive system under the influence of the enzyme monoamine oxidase. Only a small part of it enters the central nervous system in an absorbable form. It is highly doubtful that it could affect our brain as a natural aphrodisiac.
The story of whether chocolate is an aphrodisiac does not end there. Another compound found in chocolate that may also be responsible for increasing cravings is tryptophan. It is an essential amino acid for humans that the body cannot produce on its own.
It plays an important role in the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is associated with feelings of satisfaction. But, again, when you eat chocolate, very little of the tryptophan remains in a digestible form.
Therefore, its exciting properties have not been confirmed. Rather, if one experiences positive emotions from chocolate, they are related to the placebo effect and not to the chemical nature of the product.
There is also an opinion that chocolate is not so much healthy, as it is harmful and even toxic. It's all because of theobromine, another stimulant compound it contains. Its structure is very similar to caffeine. It acts on the body in much the same way: it blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, reducing the need for sleep. 100 g of milk chocolate contains about 200 milligrams of theobromine.
In dark chocolate, its concentration is higher: 600 milligrams per 100 grams. This substance is believed to be toxic.
This does not mean that you should urgently give up chocolate. Many chemical compounds that one way or another enter our body with food are also toxic. In large doses of course. Virtually no one has yet come close to a toxic dose by eating chocolate.
After all, everything should be in moderation and enjoyed. And for that, another piece of chocolate fudge or homemade lava cake will help, both of which have such a rich chocolate flavor.
See what else it means, if you feel like eating chocolate?
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