Chocolate
-
Pleasure of consuming chocolate
Melted ChocolateSee also: chocoholic
Part of the pleasure of eating chocolate is due to the fact that its melting point is slightly below human body temperature; it melts in the mouth. Chocolate intake has been linked with release of serotonin in the brain, which is thought to produce feelings of pleasure. Research has shown that heroin addicts tend to have an increased liking for chocolate; this may be because it triggers dopamine release in the brain's reinforcement systems – an effect, albeit a legal one, similar to that of opium.
[edit] Health benefits
Recent studies have suggested that cocoa or dark chocolate may possess certain beneficial effects on human health. Dark chocolate, with its high cocoa content, is a rich source of the flavonoids epicatechin and gallic acid, which are thought to possess cardio protective properties. Cocoa possesses a significant antioxidant action, protecting against LDL oxidation, perhaps more than other polyphenol antioxidant rich foods and beverages. Processing cocoa with alkali destroys most of the flavonoids.[8] Some studies have also observed a modest reduction in blood pressure and flow mediated dilation after consuming approximately 100g of dark chocolate daily. There has even been a fad diet named, "Chocolate diet", that emphasizes eating chocolate and cocoa powder in capsules. However, consuming milk chocolate or white chocolate, or drinking milk with dark chocolate, appears to largely negate the health benefit.[9] Chocolate is also a calorie-rich food with a high fat content, so daily intake of chocolate also requires reducing caloric intake of other foods.
Two-thirds of the fat in chocolate comes in the forms of a saturated fat called stearic acid and a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid. However, unlike other saturated fats, stearic acid does not raise levels of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream.[10] Consuming relatively large amounts of dark chocolate and cocoa does not seem to raise serum LDL cholesterol levels; some studies even find that it could lower them[11].
source from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate#Physiological_effects -
Several population studies have observed an increase in the risk of certain cancers among people who frequently consume sweet 'junk' foods such as chocolate. However very little evidence exists to suggest whether consuming flavonoid-rich dark chocolate may increase or decrease the risk of cancer. Evidence from laboratory studies suggest that cocoa flavonoids may possess anticarcinogenic mechanisms, but more research is needed to prove this idea.
The major concern that nutritionists have is that even though eating dark chocolate may favorably affect certain biomarkers of cardiovascular disease, the amount needed to have this effect would provide a relatively large quantity of calories which, if unused, would promote weight gain. Obesity is a significant risk factor for many diseases including cardiovascular disease. As a consequence, consuming large quantities of dark chocolate in an attempt to protect against cardiovascular disease has been described as 'cutting off one's nose to spite one's face'.[12].
source from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate#Physiological_effects -
Chocolate as a drug
A chocolate candy.Chocolate contains a variety of substances, some of which are addictive (such as caffeine). These include:
Sugar - Chocolate bars (as opposed to cocoa) contain large amounts of sugar.
Caffeine - The stimulant present in coffee and tea.
Theobromine - Various theobromines are present.
Anandamide - An endogenous cannabinoid.
Tryptophan - An essential amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, an important neurotransmitter involved in regulating moods.
Phenylethylamine - An endogenous amphetamine. Often described as a 'love chemical'. However, it is quickly metabolized by the enzyme MAO-B, preventing significant concentrations from reaching the brain.
Current research indicates that chocolate is a weak stimulant because of its content of theobromine.[13] However, chocolate contains too little of this compound for a reasonable serving to create effects in humans that are on par with a coffee buzz. Chocolate also contains small amounts of the compound caffeine.[14] There are 5 to 10 milligrams of caffeine in one ounce of bittersweet chocolate, 5 milligrams in milk chocolate, and 10 milligrams in a 170 millilitre cup of cocoa. There are 100 to 150 milligrams of caffeine in an 220 millilitre cup of coffee, it would be necessary to eat more than a dozen chocolate bars to get the same amount of caffeine as one cup of coffee. The pharmacologist Ryan J. Huxtable has described chocolate as "more than a food but less than a drug". However, chocolate is a very potent stimulant for horses; its use is therefore banned in horse-racing. Theobromine is also a contributing factor in acid reflux because it relaxes the esophageal sphincter muscle, allowing stomach acid to more easily enter the esophagus.
Melted chocolate and a piece of a chocolate barChocolate also contains small quantities of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide and the cannabinoid breakdown inhibitors N-oleoylethanolamine and N-linolenoylethanolamine. Anandamides are produced naturally by the body, in such a way that their effects are extremely targeted (compared to the broad systemic effects of drugs like tetrahydrocannabinol) and relatively short-lived. In experiments N-oleoylethanolamine and N-linolenoylethanolamine interfere with the body's natural mechanisms for breaking down endogenous cannabinoids, causing them to last longer. However, noticeable effects of chocolate related to this mechanism in humans have not been demonstrated.
Some studies have described a condition called Hysteroid dysphoria, characterized by repeated episodes of depressed mood in response to feeling rejected, and a craving for chocolate.
source from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate#Physiological_effects -
dark choco is nice cos it dosent make u thirst for water afterwards
nt like milk chocs 
-
Originally posted by Chelzea:dark choco is nice cos it dosent make u thirst for water afterwards nt like milk chocs
I like dark chocolate too
sweet milk chocolates sometimes give me tooth sensitive
-
i heard chocolate can destress. time to buy more
-
meaning pain?Originally posted by Phoebie:
I like dark chocolate too
sweet milk chocolates sometimes give me tooth sensitive 
poor thing -
it's a bit like shiok cold pain on the front teeth that send me shivering a bitOriginally posted by Chelzea:meaning pain? poor thing -
pain oso can b shiok arOriginally posted by Phoebie:it's a bit like shiok cold pain on the front teeth that send me shivering a bit 
-
Originally posted by Chelzea:pain oso can b shiok ar
-
i wan go try e choc buffet at hotel wan me nbr try be4,e choc fountain
-
*eyes my chocolate stash longingly*
-
the one at Fullerton?Originally posted by Chelzea:i wan go try e choc buffet at hotel wan me nbr try be4,e choc fountain -
yah ,me saving up my moniesOriginally posted by Phoebie:the one at Fullerton? -
Originally posted by Chelzea:yah ,me saving up my monies