We loved them as kids, either dark or with milk, it doesn’t matter. Chocolates remain as chocolates. Aside from giving us the pleasure and of course, the occasional bad tooth, chocolates also give the feeling of pleasure and contentment.

For newbies, Chocolate is made up of fat and sugar that activate almost all appetite-triggering nerve chemicals in the brain. The sugar in chocolate triggers the release of serotonin, known to regulate mood and the sweet taste also releases endorphins in the brain, giving us an elated feeling. Chocolates also have Phenylethylamine or PEA, an adrenal-related chemical that is also created in the brain and released when we are in love. This is the reason why chocolate is synonymous with romance. “Chemicals in chocolate affect levels of the body’s mood-affecting chemicals, including serotonin, endorphins, and phenylethylamine, which the body releases in response to romance.” Debra Waterhouse, a registered dietitian and the author of Why Women Need Chocolate said.

But what can chocolate actually give us? Here’s a list from thefinalspirit.com:

Skin TLC - Studies by the Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the US Naval Academy have shown that there is no link between chocolate and acne. (Other research suggests that there may be no dietary link to the development of acne at all.) In addition, Flavonoids in chocolate absorb UV light, helping to protect and increase blood flow to the skin. German Researchers found that chocolate helps with prevention of photosensitivity, sunburn and skin aging. In a study of 24 women, given a half cup of cocoa every day for 3 months, participant’s skin was moister, smoother, visibly improved, and less scaly and red when exposed to UV light.

Better blood pressure - Flavonoids in cocoa may help prevent stiffening of blood vessels, while helping the body maintain its levels of vitamins E and C, and Acting on the body’s platelets to reduce the risk of clotting.

Combats Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - The antioxidants (Flavonoids) seem to prevent both cell damage and inflammation. Chocolate contains a small amount of the stimulant caffeine (an average size chocolate bar contains about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaffeinated coffee). It also has Cough treatment qualities.

Muscle magic - Chocolate milk may help you recover after a hard workout. A study at Indiana University found elite cyclists who drank chocolate milk between workouts scored better on fatigue and endurance tests than those who had sports drinks.

Brainpower - Due to better blood flow to the brain, chocolate can boost your attention span, memory, problem solving skills and reaction time (research at West Virginia Wheeling Jesuit University suggests.)

Energy booster - Chocolate is a high-energy food for its relatively small volume. It contains substances, including caffeine, that act in the body in ways similar to medications. This may account for its reputation as an antidepressant, stimulant - and aphrodisiac.

Heart healthy - Prevention of cardiovascular disease. Phenolics (antioxidant phenolic compounds, also known as flavonoids) can help protect against or slow heart disease by preventing fat-like substances (LDL, or low-density lipoproteins) in the bloodstream from oxidizing and forming plaque that can eventually block arteries.

(Source: The Final Spirit, photo courtesy of Grace Wong.)