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
