Chocolate

Why does chocolate always seem to make life’s problems easier to handle? It has been reported that there are over 300 chemicals in chocolate that have various effects on our body. Chocolate effects the endorphins released in the brain which work to lessen our pain and reduce stress, not to mention the serotonin that is released to help with depression. Another unique chemical reaction is the release of phenyl ethylamine, or “chocolate amphetamine”, this causes your blood pressure and blood-sugar levels to change which leaves you feeling excited and alert. Good news is addiction to chocolate is NOTHING like addiction to drugs! So when you are feeling blue and need that extra pick me up it is okay to eat that piece (or two, or three) of chocolate to make you feel better.

I know there are so many choices, how do you know which type of chocolate is the best? Well just remember the darker the chocolate the better. Unfortunately, milk chocolate is chocolate with milk powder or condensed milk which is a form of sweet chocolate. Sweet chocolate is the type of chocolate that is consumed mostly in the United States, it is chocolate combined with sugar. People say that dark chocolate has health benefits (although these benefits have not been proven by doctors) with its higher levels of antioxidants that reduce free radicals from forming. It also has a rich source of cardioprotective properties and some say that a little chocolate a day will reduce the possibility of a heart attack. Now white chocolate really isn’t chocolate, it is made from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids it does not contain any cocoa solids. White chocolate is the one chocolate that CAN be consumed by animals because it does not contain any theobromine that is dangerous to your beloved pets.

So the next time you are craving a piece of chocolate, dig right in! No need to feel guilty as it has so many beneficial chemicals that can help us. This doesn’t mean that we can sit down with a whole box of truffles and enjoy them in one night, just as with anything, we need to eat chocolate responsibly and in moderation.

My favorite chocolate comes from Scharffen Berger, they are located in nearby Berkley. Visit their website http://www.scharffenberger.com/ to get various chocolate recipes and sign up for a tour of their factory. John Scharffenberger’s story about chocolate, from the cacao plant to the chocolate bar, is very informative.