The Good News About Chocolate

Hurrah! It seems our favourite snack is beneficial for our hearts, health and happiness, says Michele O’Connor, and here’s why...

So many of us have a sweet tooth – in fact, this year, global chocolate consumption is set to reach nearly eight million tons! Worldwide sales of quality dark chocolate are climbing, too. This is great news for our health, as dark chocolate (containing 70% cocoa or more) boasts some of the highest levels of antioxidants found in any food – even higher than blueberries and cranberries.

Eating chocolate = happiness

“Eating chocolate is known to increase the levels of several brain chemicals,” explains GP Dr Jeff Foster. “These chemicals include mood-altering PEA (phenylethylamine, related to amphetamine), which produces a mild elevation in mood and confidence; tryptophan – an essential amino acid that’s subsequently converted to serotonin (the so-called ‘happy hormone’), which provides a feeling of contentment and increased euphoria; and theobromine – a stimulant that provides energy.” But, as these hormone changes are limited, it doesn’t mean the more you eat, the happier you’ll feel!

It’s beneficial to your heart