What Does a Person Really Want for Valentine’s Day? — Chocolate
Love notes and roses are romantic on Valentine’s Day, but nothing matches the gift of chocolate for that special loved one. Studies have shown that chocolate, particularly dark chocolate is great for your physical well-being and it also has many psychological benefits as well. Chocolate is a wonderful thing, and many people agree, considering it as an $11 billion a year industry in the US alone.
Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and flavonoids. In fact cocoa has about twice the antioxidants of red wine in up to three times the amount found in green tea. These antioxidants have been shown to help prevent heart disease and cancer. The flavonoids in rich dark chocolate also promote blood flow, which could lead to a little romance.
Chocolate has great psychological benefits as well. It is said that chocolate stimulates serotonin, a chemical in the brain that controls your moods. What a wonderful tasting instant mood enhancer. When was the last time you saw anybody in a bad mood while eating chocolate.
Chocolate has also been used as an aphrodisiac. Flavonoid rich dark chocolate promotes blood flow which can stimulate a little romance. Throughout history chocolate has been used specifically for this purpose. Casanova, whose name is synonymous with the art of seduction, apparently used chocolate as a pre-seduction brew. The ancient Aztecs harvested chocolate for their king Montezuma. He drank dark chocolate throughout the day to heighten his libido.
If you have a love note, roses, lingerie or something else special for your loved one on Valentine’s Day that’s great. But don’t forget that big heart-shaped box of chocolate.
Tags: antioxidants, cocoa, dark chocolate, flavonoids, red wine, serotonin
