Chocolate - The Finest Food?

Almost everyone I have ever met in my whole life loves sweet chocolate. Think about that, have you ever even known anyone who dislikes chocolate? People may stay away from it because they are on a diet (or just like it too much) but never because they don't like it.

One of the best things about chocolate is that it comes in many different shapes and sizes including bars, kisses, chips, patties, bon bons and many, many more. It even comes in different forms including white chocolate, hot chocolate, fudge, brownies, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, dutch chocolate and in prepared foods such as chocolate chip cookies and many different candies.

A really great attribute of chocolate is that it tastes good with almost everything, so you can always work in a little chocolate with most menus. Chocolate is also one of the most popular gifts to give to your special one on Valentines Day because it makes most people feel more sensual.

Most people I know believe that chocolate makes them feel good after they eat it. Some people believe that this good feeling is just mental and that it happens just because you imagine you are feeling better. However, researchers have studied chocolate to learn why it affects our brains and contributes to our mental, and surprisingly, physical wellbeing. Chocolate does have several different chemical compounds within it that help to cause chemical reactions that truly can make you feel better.

Chocolate has many different stimulants that can help give one a pick me up. Chocolate also contains a minimal amount of caffeine that can get you going when you are feeling lethargic. But you shouldn't worry about getting an excessive amount of caffeine from chocolate, because it contains the same dose of caffeine that you would get from drinking only one ounce of coffee. Chocolate also causes the body to release serotonin, which is a substance that has been associated with decreased levels of depression, tension, and fatigue.

Most likely the reason chocolate is given on Valentines Day is that it also contains phenylethylamine which is usually released by the body naturally when you spend quality time with a loved one. Chocolate will not cause anyone to fall in love with you or be more attracted to you, but it can help set the mood between two people that love each other. All in all chocolate is one of the best foods on the planet. If you are feeling low, need a boost of get up and go, or have to have help setting the mood, then get some chocolate and all of your troubles will just melt away.

If you are searching for a great year-round chocolate gift, consider a hot chocolate gift basket. It would obviously be a welcome gift on a cold Winter day, but for just a moment think of having a gourmet cup of hot chocolate instead of your morning latte. Even in the dog days of Summer this would work for me and give my day a jumpstart!