Cheers of Chocolate

Nearly all of us are fond of chocolate and our desserts are almost incomplete without adding chocolate. Be it summers or it is cold, either you are a child or an adult we all crave for chocolate. When it’s time to celebrate our special moments or when someone is feeling blue grabbing a chocolate bar adds colors to the picture. Mostly we have chocolate to satisfy our temptations and to please our taste buds but there is a whole story behind all this chocolate craving. Most of us experience a feeling of relaxation and happiness after having chocolate and it also acts as a mood booster and as a comfort food for many people around the globe. Scientifically it has been reported to be involved in elevating mood, improving cognitive functions and improving the overall health of an individual.

Chocolate is prepared from cocoa beans obtained from cocoa tree and has been used in food from ancient times. Chocolate consists of a variety of biochemicals which add importance to it. Among these are caffeine, carbohydrates, flavanols, methylxanthines, theobromine and some vital amino acids and lipids. The pleasure feeling observed from having chocolate is mainly due to the release of happy neurotransmitters i.e., endorphins and opiates. It also have effects on another neurotransmitter serotonin which is also known as anti-depressant. The tryptophan in chocolate is a natural precursor of serotonin and its consumption increases the release of serotonin and produces euphoria and is also responsible for chocolate craving.

Caffeine is the major component of chocolate and has been reported to significantly improve the alertness and psychomotor functions especially during fatigue and is a potent CNS stimulant. According to a study the mood-enhancing effect of caffeine is linked to 45 percent reduced risk of suicide¹. 

Phenylethylamine is a natural monoamine alkaloid found in chocolate, also known as “chocolate amphetamine”. Phenylethylamine present in the chocolate when enters in our body it increases the glucose levels and blood pressure and induces excitement, pleasure, sexual arousal, alertness and thus improves the mood. It is also known as “love drug” because it triggers the high feeling like that one feels when in love.

Another important biochemical is ‘theobromine’ which also affects the nervous system and causes mental and physical relaxation. According to a study theobromine and caffeine have synergistic effects on cognition, mood and blood pressure and increase the energetic arousal².  

Chocolate also contains a lipoprotein ‘anandamide’ which is often translated as “internal bliss” and it activates the cannabinoid receptors of brain mimicking the psychoactive effects produced by cannabinoid drugs such as marijuana. Luckily its concentration is lower in chocolate and it is not as much stable and the human brain easily metabolizes it, therefore it is not able to cause addiction and adverse effects as produced by the cannabinoid drugs³.

The flavanols and methylxanthines found in chocolate also have beneficial effects on CNS as well as on the whole body. Besides enhancing the cognitive functions, they also have protective effects against chronic heart and neurodegenerative diseases. They reduce neurodegenerative process and stimulates neurogenesis specifically in hippocampus. They also improve learning and memory and reduce anxiety.

These were beneficial effects of chocolate on brain. Besides, CNS chocolate also has some cheering health effects on periphery, out of which some are given below;

• Reduces the risk of heart disease
• Improves blood flow
• A good source of antioxidants
• Reduces sunburn effects and prevents the skin from tanning
• Improves endothelial functions
• Anti-inflammation
• Increases insulin sensitivity and lowers the risk of diabetes
• Elevates the ratio of HDL to LDL

In short, chocolate have many beneficial effects on brain and body and improves mood and can be significantly regarded as the ‘brain food’. But despite a broad spectrum of health benefits it should not be consumed in large quantities as it can trigger some harmful effects such as insomnia, nervousness, increased urination and tachycardia. However, whenever you are feeling lower or sad especially in this lock-down when almost everyone is feeling depressed just grab a bar of chocolate and get rid of all your blues and say thanks to Almighty ALLAH for blessing you with such a cheerful treat.

By Mehwish Hamid       

References

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/caffeine-effects-on-body#4
2. Mitchell, E. S., Slettenaar, M., Vd Meer, N., Transler, C., Jans, L., Quadt, F., & Berry, M. (2011). Differential contributions of theobromine and caffeine on mood, psychomotor performance and blood pressure. Physiology & behavior, 104(5), 816-822.
3. di Tomaso, E., Beltramo, M., & Piomelli, D. (1996). Brain cannabinoids in chocolate. Nature, 382(6593), 677-678.
4.        Scholey, A., & Owen, L. (2013). Effects of chocolate on cognitive function and mood: a systematic review. Nutrition reviews, 71(10), 665-681.