Healthy Benefits of Chocolate

Nothing wrong with chocolate to be one of the most widely gifts given on Valentine's Day this. Until now, brown tree called the "food of God. " Fairy tales in various cultures mention chocolate consumption is associated with health, strength, and enhancing arousal.

Cocoa tree, whose fruits contain seeds that can be processed into chocolate, was found about 2,000 years ago in the tropical rainforest America. Nation's first eating chocolate is defective Mayans (250-900 BC). They mix cocoa beans with a certain spice to offset the bitter taste and pungent before making beverages.

For the Mayans, chocolate fruit is a symbol of life and fertility. The fruit is also often presented in religious rituals, including weddings. In Mexico, the Aztecs believe people who eat chocolate fruit will be endowed with wisdom and strength.

In 1519, the Europeans are new to brown when the fruit is brought Spanish sailors who brought this plant. From the king's favorite drink, chocolate and then spread throughout Europe and for centuries known only as a noble beverage.

Chocolate's reputation as afrosidiak or arousal-enhancing foods originated from the French nobility. Casanova, conqueror of famous women, known to have a habit of drinking chocolate before erotic adventure with many women.

Although better known as afrosidiak, turned out to contain phenylethylamine in chocolate just a little. Phenylethylamine (PEA) or also called "love drug"relates to the regulation of physical energy, mood and attention. The body will issue a PEA when there is an emotional euphoria that blood pressure and heart rate increases. But the scientists found no evidence that the PEA in the diet can increase the PEA in the brain.

Chocolate is also believed to affect a person psychologically by raising feeling happy and positive. This is indicated by a researcher from the University of Cambridge that the typical chocolate flavor with the texture and taste that "immerses" give the sensation of its own.

The content of PEA-owned chocolate is also one possible cause of generating this feeling. This is because the compound is a substance similar amphetanine which increases absorption of tryptophan into the brain and eventually produce dopamine. Impact of dopamine is what led to feelings of pleasure and mood improvement.

To be sure, recent studies have found that pure dark chocolate contains flavonoids-rich, similar to those found in tea, red wine, fruits and vegetables. Research also found a small serving of dark chocolate will improve blood circulation and reduce the risk of diabetes.

But beware, candy chocolate and chocolate packaging is sold usually contain saturated fat and high sugar. To get the healthful effects, pure dark chocolate are recommended.