This document discusses the history and cultural significance of chocolate. It notes that chocolate is widely enjoyed around the world and is associated with holidays, movies, spa treatments, and museums. Chocolate stimulates the brain's production of endorphins and flavonoids, contributing to its appeal and addictive qualities. The document provides an overview of popular chocolate types including dark, milk, and white chocolate, as well as their nutritional differences.
1. gift-giving&cuisine
BY KAREN PASACRETA
CHOCOMANIA.
IT’S MADNESS.
Ooh la la…it’s chocolat! What is it about this sinfully delicious dessert
that makes even the sanest of people
irrational? Some say it’s the taste. It is a
Picture this. A creamy milk chocolate
feel-good food. But there’s something
fondue fountain spilling over the sides creating
more. Typically referred to as the “Love
a waterfall of decadence. C’mon, admit it.
Chemical,” chocolate is said to stimulate the
Your mouth is watering already, right? The
secretion of endorphins in our brains shown
mere idea of it is sending your senses into a
to have mood-lifting effects. Ok, try not to
tailspin. In just a few minutes you’ll be
get all giddy while snarfing down that “to-
running to the local store—or at least the
die-for” chocolate bar. There really are actual
vending machine. You need your chocolate!
experts out there who believe this to be true!
Forget free will. Hello chocomania.
Dark chocolate, with its high cocoa
Chocolate is hard to resist. Entire holidays
content, is also a rich source of flavonoids,
revolve around it. Movies have been named
which are said to be helpful in the
for it. Spa treatments have been created
reduction of blood pressure. Call it
using it. There are even chocolate museums!
“chocolate reasoning,” this could be the
There’s Swiss chocolate, Belgian chocolate, permission you need to eat all the chocolate
Italian chocolate, American chocolate. In you want! But keep in mind, chocolate is a
case you aren’t getting it—chocolate is high-fat, calorie-rich food, so you may
a huge global business. It’s been referred want to think about reducing your caloric
to as an aphrodisiac, a healer, an addiction, intake of other foods before you embark on
and a downright delicious guilty pleasure. the Chocoholic Diet.
12 www.LiveWell.net 1-800-793-2318 1-800-793-2318 www.LiveWell.net 13