Chocolate Mind

The Psychology of Chocolate

What is it about that simple, boring looking little block, that makes people fall all over themselves?

    Whether chocolate is an occasional treat, a regular occurrence or just part of your most sad days, almost everyone would agree that there is something about that simple little decadence that has us all in a trance. 

    Research tells us that chocolate is the most commonly craved food and is considered one of the favourite foods to be consumed during emotional eating. 

    So, what’s the deal?

The History of Chocolate

Health Benefits?

In truth, cocoa contains more than 200 compounds thought to be beneficial to human health, being the more important:

• Polyphenols: beyond antioxidant properties, cocoa polyphenols exert blood pressure lowering activity, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, metabolic and anti-atherosclerotic effects, and also improve endothelial function;
•  Flavanols: powerful antioxidants that have beneficial effects on blood clotting, protection from damaging chemicals (free radicals), the immune system and many other body systems;

Why Do We Like Chocolate?

Chocolate is good for a number of reasons:

• Humans are born with innate food preferences: 1. for sweet foods , 2. for creamy textures;
• Sugar makes food taste good and fat makes food feel good ➙ chocolate satisfies both these preferences.

What’s the scoop on chocolate and the brain?

    1. Short-term consumption may be helpful.

For example, a 2011 study of young adults found that two hours after consuming dark chocolate (with high flavanol content), memory and reaction time were better than among those consuming white chocolate (with low flavanol content). However, other similar studies showed no benefit.

    2. Long-term consumption may be helpful.

One 2014 study found that among adults ages 50 to 69, those taking a cocoa supplement with high flavanol content for three months had better performance on tests of memory than those assigned to take a low-flavanol cocoa supplement.

    3. May improve brain function.

Several studies demonstrated evidence of improved brain blood flow, oxygen levels, or nerve function as measured by imaging tests or tests of electrical activity in the brain after the consumption of cocoa drinks. But because these changes were not routinely associated with improved performance on cognitive tasks, it’s hard to connect the results directly to better brain function.

    4. Helps release endorphins in the brain.

Experts say it could have a way of improving your mood, at least temporarily.

"Chocolate boosts the production of endorphins, better known as the 'feel-good' chemical of your brain," Culler says. After eating it, you may experience a more positive outlook, and possibly even a sense of "euphoria," all thanks to the way it impacts your hormones.

Dr. Shaheen Lakhan, neurologist and head of R&D at The Learning Corp, points to research where people given chocolate reported imrpovements in self-rated calmness, contentedness, and cognitive performance, while also mitigating "mental fatigue."

    5. Chocolate wakes you up.

Chocolate, just like a cup of coffee, contains caffeine, and that can give a boost to your central nervous system, Culler says. A bar of dark chocolate contains 70mg of caffeine and a bar of milk chocolate contains 9 mg of caffeine, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which can really do the trick whenever you're feeling a dip in energy.

But the hit of caffeine isn't the only reason why chocolate can help you stay alert. "Dark chocolate can improve blood flow to the brain, which can improve attention span, memory, reaction time, and problem-solving skills," Culler says.

    6. It plays a role in healthy aging.

It's important to do good things for your brain as you get older, as way of preventing age-related health issues such as dementia. And due to the way it impacts the brain, researchers have been looking into the benefits chocolate may have to offer.

"Chocolate is very appealing in those prone to cognitive decline like individuals with or at risk of Alzheimer’s disease because the flavonols — antioxidants found in certain plants — in cocoa stimulate new brain cell growth and prevent existing brain cell death," Lakhan says.

Some studies have also associated chocolate intake with a decreased risk of stroke, Lakhan says, since it stimulates blood flow to the brain.

    7. It helps reduce stress.

While there are plenty of foods that contain magnesium, like peas, bananas, and leafy greens, chocolate is another way to get this important nutrient.

Chocolate is a good source of magnesium, which may help reduce stress by suppressing the release of the stress hormone cortisol. But, as with anything, it should be a part of other stress-beating tricks.

While chocolate isn't a cure-all, it can impact the brain in lots of interesting ways, including temporarily boosting your mood, and relieving stress.

 

The Verdict

    The takeaway isn't that everyone should rush to stuff their faces with the magical sweet. 

    What we can say for now is that one can eat small amounts of chocolate without guilt, as its controlled consume does have, without a doubt, a positive impact on their brain.