SEX, WOMEN and CHOCOLATE

For hundreds of years, women have been comparing chocolate to sex. Now, research has found a scientific link between the two!

Italian research has found that women who eat chocolate regularly have a better sex life than those who deny themselves the treat. Women who consume chocolate had the highest levels of desire, arousal and satisfaction from sex. A study funded by a University in Italy reports that women who suffer from a low libido "could become even more amourous after eating chocolate". The paper goes on to say that the researchers believe "chocolate could be particularly medicinal for women who shun sex because they are suffering from premenstrual tension. Chocolate is not like a food, it is like a drug. Women who suffer mood swings as a result of their menstrual cycle may also suffer a dip in their sexual function"

CHOCOLATE IN PREGNANCY KEEPS BABY HAPPY:

According to a study done in Helsinki, Finland, Pregnant women were told to keep track of their stress levels and chocolate consumption. After the babies were born, scientists looked for a connection between the amount of chocolate eaten by the mothers and the babies' behavior.

Six months after birth, researchers asked mothers to rate their baby's behavior in various categories, including fear, soothability, smiling and laughter. The babies born to the mothers who had been eating chocolate daily during their pregnancies were more active and positive in their reactions such as smiling and laughter. The babies also showed less fear of new situations than the babies born to women who abstained from eating chocolate.

The researchers speculate that the effects observed could be from chemicals in chocolate associated with positive mood being passed on to the unborn baby in utero. They feel that chocolate consumption and baby bahavior are linked.

Recent studies tells us that 'dark chocolate is healthy chocolate'. Small amounts of a good, rich dark chocolate is thought to improve the blood flow through the blood vessels. Flavonoids are the reason--they are antioxidants in the cocoa plant that is used to make chocolate. Flavonoids are also crediited in prevent ing certain cancers.

Theobromine, which is related to caffeine, is also in chocolate and is a natural cough suppressant. Theobromine is more effective than codeine in controlling coughs. There are also reports that dark chocolate improves glucose metabolism and helps diabetic control and insulin sensitivity. And don't forget, chocolate is an aphrodisiac and helps with depression because it raises serotonin and endorphin levels. It is said to help cure PMS symptoms too because chocolate is high in magnesium with helps raise the progesterone levels that drop during PMS.

Studies have shown that dark chocolate lowers high blood pressure. The good results are from the cocoa phenols that are found in dark chocolate. Dr. Norman K. Hollenberg from Harvard Medical School studied Panama's Duna Indians and found that because members of this group drank an average of five cups of cocoa a day, cases of high blood pressure among them are rare. Dr. Hollenberg says that dark chocolate contains four times the antioxidant qualities found in tea.

Dark chocolate contains antioxidants which gobble up free radicals which are implicated in heart disease and other illnesses. But don't drink milk with your dark chocolate! It interferes with the absorption of those good antioxidants.

Some other nutrients contained in chocolate are iron, calcium and potassium and vitamins A, B1, C. D. and E and other trace elements. Also, cocoa is the highest natural source for magnesium. Magnesium is linked to such illnesses as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, joint problems and PMS. The fat in high quality plain dark chocolate can be considered cholesterol free as it does not build up in the arteries or contribute to high cholesterol levels.

The darker the chocolate the better. Look for chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids in it. The ability of the sugar in chocolate to raise the blood sugar (glycemic index) is about the same as oatmeal.

Chocolate is so successful in combating tooth decay that researchers believe that some components of chocolate may one day be added to toothpaste and mouthwash! (See my other AC article, "Chocolate Fights Tooth Decay" link below) The cocoa bean which is the main ingredient in chocolate seems to be an agent that thwarts mouth bacteria and dental caries.

While this all sounds wonderful, care must be taken to not over-indulge. Chocolate has calories! If you eat a chocolate bar, eat fewer calories at your next meal. Chocolate must be eaten in moderation. The ancient Aztec Indians knew about of the health benefits of chocolate as early as the 1400's when Montezuma wrote:

Chocolate: "The divine drink, which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food" - Montezuma - Aztec Emperor (1480-1520)

Perhaps, someday your physician will tell you to "Take two chocolate bars and call me in the morning"!

Also, read my article "Chocolate FightsTooth Decay"