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Writer's pictureMariah Franklin

Chocolate on the Brain...




Chocolate is practically everyone's guilty pleasure (myself included), but when enjoyed in moderation, chocolate, is actually a delicious treat that will give your body what it needs (and then some)!

According to webmd.com, "dark chocolate" may reduce the risk of heart attack, lower blood pressure, as well as helping people with "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" feel less fatigued after eating some dark chocolate. They also note that dark chocolate is the healthiest of the chocolates because it is rich in flavanols. I know! You maybe thinking "flava-what?". But according to geekwise.org, "flavanols" is a natural antioxidant found in various plants such as the cocoa and they promote a healthy body by helping rid your system of the presence of free radicals (organic molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage, and some diseases).

Fitday.com highlights that chocolate (in general) is a common craving because it has a way of increasing within our brains serotonin (the neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of well-being and enhanced mood). Women have lower levels of serotonin days prior to their periods, thus the radical cravings for all things chocolatey and sweet!

I'm not a fan of dark chocolate myself, but when I was in college I constantly consumed coffee and chocolate to keep me going for those night classes during third semester. Unfortunately, I noticed that the combination was causing me to pack on some pounds, so I cut my chocolate intake and began exercising regularly enabling me to ultimately lose about 30 pounds. My favorite chocolate is Sarris Candies that is made in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania and sold throughout the state (they also do orders nationwide). It's hard for me to resist their milk chocolate covered pretzels/pretzel rods! They also boast in selling a "72% Cocoa For Your Health Bar"; recognizing the health properties that I just outlined above pertaining to dark chocolate.

Now it gets even sweeter! Chocolate facials have been trending in the spa arena for a minute and while doing some searching I came across a blog that promoted a vegan cosmetic company in London called "Lush" which produces "Cupcake Face Masks"! I'm not even going to go there with how to make your own chocolate facial. Instead I will leave a link below. But, chocolate applied to the skin is (in my mind anyways) like applying cocoa butter or shea butter lotion. Thedermblog.com reveals that "Chocolate also contains fats such as cocoa butter or shea butter. Both of these are used routinely as topical moisturizers and as anti-inflammatory agents." Thus, chocolate in it's purest form is a natural skin softener when applied to the skin such as one's face.

Unbeknownst to me, there are chocolate spas that exclusively treat their clients/customers with the "aphrodisiac" that has been celebrated for centuries; going all the way back to 1900 BCE revealing the earliest consumers to be those of Mesoamerica civilizations (such as the Aztecs, Olmec, and Maya). Other researchers share that some civilizations even recognized "chocolate" to be "the food of the gods"; believing it to be that revered that only the gods they honored were worthy enough to delight in the treat.



Short and sweet is my post for today. I hope it has informed you as well as encouraged you that you can have your "dark chocolate" and eat it too!



For your consideration, check out the links below that I came across for my research.



https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/health-by-chocolate#1

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-flavanol.htm

http://globalmarketingculture.com/chocolate-around-the-world/

https://www.thoughtco.com/culture-of-the-cocoa-bean-1991768

https://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/why-do-women-crave-chocolate.html

https://www.livestrong.com/article/434221-dark-chocolate-and-serotonin/

https://www.ancient.eu/Chocolate/

Chocolate Facial Instructions: http://thedermblog.com/2008/03/24/leftover-chocolate-bunnies-make-a-chocolate-facial/



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Sante

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