Five Reasons Why We Love Chocolate

My first ‘come quickly, I am tasting the stars’ moment was when I sampled a Lindt bar. Smooth. Luscious. Rich. Without further ado, I decided to sign a lifetime deal with Chocolates—and here I am, with not a scintilla of regret.

I don’t regret being a chocolate addict in the first place—I could be addicted to worse stuff, you know. But I must admit, eating chocolates is the closest you can get to being high without snorting drugs. Nevertheless, I am a healthy addict—mostly because I’m still restrained by the limits set by my parents, but also because I know when to stop.

Today, as we celebrate World Chocolate Day, I’d like to share a few genuine excuses that you can use to get away with your 50th chocolate bar. (I’m only kidding! Please eat responsibly.)

IT’S AN INSTANT MOOD BUSTER

Have you ever felt like you’re at a loss of words to describe the inexplicable feeling after you nibble a chocolate bar?

It’s no surprise, considering that the consumption of chocolate releases endorphins, which in turn sets off a nexus of rejuvenating sensations. Other neurotransmitters released include dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, all of which are responsible for eliciting happiness. If you ever feel depressed, go grab a chocolate. That’s all you’ll need.

IMPROVES MEMORY

You crammed up all the dates from your history book last night. But the next morning you don’t seem to remember a thing. Well, that’s mostly because the information you fed was stored in your short-term memory.

Studies indicate that the consumption of chocolate can help in increasing memory retention and improve overall cognition. I know you’re probably going ‘pooh!’. But a study conducted by Franz H. Messerli of Columbia University, revealed an intriguing correlation between Nobel Prize laureates and consumption of high-flavanol dark chocolate—Switzerland, the highest consumer of chocolate per capita is also the one with the most Nobel Prize laureates!

It can’t be just happenstance, can it?

PS: Eating Swiss chocolate is not a one-way ticket to becoming a Nobel Prize laureate.

IT CAN LOWER YOUR RISK OF DIABETES AND CHOLESTEROL

No, you didn’t read it wrong. Dark chocolate contains cocoa flavanols, which can not only improve blood sugar metabolism and minimize the risk of diabetes but also attenuate the risk of heart and vascular diseases in diabetic patients.

Dark chocolate significantly reduces LDL (low-density lipoprotein), essentially lowering cholesterol levels. But, bear in mind, this does not grant you a license to snarf up dozens of chocolate bars.

IT CAN HELP YOU FIGHT DEPRESSION

Are you feeling dejected? Or a little watered-down after a strenuous week?

Shove some chocolate into your mouth and watch the magic unfold. Eating dark chocolate ramps up the production of serotonin, the happy hormone, which is scant in people who suffer from depression. The production is stimulated by the high concentration of antioxidant chemicals in chocolates, which is known to mitigate inflammation in the body—a condition likened to depression.

IT’S A STRESS BUSTER

Unanswered emails? Assignments? Meetings? Deadlines? Annoying clients? Laundry?

Cadbury, anyone?

Stress is an unavoidable reality of life—a persistent, unrelenting companion. But for mercy’s sake, you can’t let it get the better of you. Here’s what you can do. The next time files (or maybe laundry), mount up on top of each other, chow down a chocolate bar. I’m telling you, that’s all you’ll need to chillax.

When it comes to stress reduction, milk chocolate (Woo-hoo!) is known to better suppress cortisol (stress hormone) levels as compared to dark chocolates.

After all, how can the soothing sensation of the saccharine sweetness not temper our frayed nerves?

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Let’s be honest, we don’t really need these reasons to love chocolate. It’s ambrosia. And that's more than enough.

Here’s to chocolate bliss.

Happy Chocolate Day everyone!

BONUS:

Just because I’m in a giving mood today, I would love to fete you with tips to make your next chocolate meal as palatable as possible.

SAVOR EVERY BITE

An easy way to make the most of a chocolate bar is to take it slow. Relish every bite, every crumb. Bite it deliberately, for every whit counts. Do you not feel it? The gushing sense of warmth ensconcing you like a comfy duvet?

I know I’m exaggerating but the best way to enjoy all things in life is to take a moment to introspect. Let the flavor linger for a while before you rush on to the next bite. Let yourself indulge in the aftertaste.

LISTENING TO MUSIC CAN ENLIVEN THE EXPERIENCE

How about that?

Researches indicate that soft harmonious tunes can enhance and galvanize the sensation of creaminess while harsh discordant notes can ruin the entire experience.

Teaming up with chocolatiers in Belgium, the researchers aim to manufacture confectionery that can be eaten along with an accompanying soundtrack.

A playlist for chocoholics?

Tell me I’m dreaming.

DON’T KEEP IT IN THE FRIDGE

It’s a punch-gut in the stomach if you eat a stone-cold frozen chocolate bar. A chocolate bar is numbed of its authentic delectability when refrigerated. Not to mention the dreaded chocolate bloom (accumulation of sugar crystals on the chocolate bar when it’s subjected to temperature fluctuations) on the surface, which pretty much blots the entire aesthetic.

It’s advisable to keep it out of the fridge for a few minutes and let the chocolate bloom wear off before you consume it.

That way you can enjoy the ultimate chocolate-eating experience.

DON’T DOWN IT ALL TOO FAST

I’m contradicting myself when I say this because that’s exactly what I do after biting into a chocolate—down it all with a glass of water. And that’s because despite my love for chocolate, I’m not a fan of letting the taste persist for longer than needed. Chugging water allows me to fully and truly assimilate every remaining vestige of flavor that happens to linger in my mouth and get it all done with one gulp. But for those who want the sapidity to bide, feel free to take your time before you wash it down with water.

The verdict is open to debate on this one.

So, what are you waiting for? Go grab a bar!