Transcript Chocolate - WordPress.com

CHOCOLATE
How It affects the human body
Popularity
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The average American citizen eats over 12 pounds
of chocolate per year
Chocolate Industry claims that 90% of Americans
consume some
form of chocolate every day
Chocolate is associated with
Valentine’s Day
In 2000, the total chocolate sales approached $1
billion for Valentine’s Day alone
Types of Chocolate
Dark Chocolate
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Unsweetened
chocolate +
sweeteners +
cocoa butter
Milk Chocolate
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Adds about 12%
milk to dark
chocolate
White Chocolate
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Has no cocoa
solids
Cocoa butter +
milk + sugar
Nutritional Information
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Chocolate contains over 300 naturally occurring
chemicals
Contains potassium, iron, folic acid, phosphorus,
magnesium, and calcium
Vitamins D, E, B6
Slight caffeine content
Cocoa butter
High in saturated fat, but one third is converted to a
heart-healthy fat that helps increase levels of good
cholesterol
HEALTH BENEFITS
Heart-Protecting Properties
Flavanols
 Dilate blood vessels
 Boost blood flow to the brain
for 2-3 hours
 Protect against build-up of
plaque in arteries
Vitamins D&E
 Reduce high blood pressure
Stimulating Properties
Anandamide
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Neurotransmitter
Dark chocolate = best source of anandamide
Derived from “ananda”
meaning “bliss”
Binds to cannabinoid
receptors
Same as the active
ingredient (THC) in marijuana
but has a much milder effect
Stimulating Properties
Anandamide
 Slips easily across the blood-brain barrier
 Anxiety relief, appetite enhancement
 Form of forgetfulness that may be part of the
brain’s system of getting rid of unimportant or
unpleasant memories
 Chocolate also contains two chemicals that slow the
normal breakdown of anandamide so that it has a
prolonged effect
Stimulating Properties
Endorphins
 Hormone
 Binds to opiate receptors
 Controls pain, stress, frustration
 Generates feelings of pleasure
Fun Fact!
Endorphins
are also
triggered by
music and
laughter.
Stimulating Properties
Tryptophan
Serotonin
Melatonin
Serotonin
 Neurotransmitter
 Chocolate is a good source of
tryptophan, amino-acid that is the
precursor to serotonin
 Serotonin causes feelings of
pleasure and relaxation
 Serotonin further broken down in
melatonin, important for causing
sleep
Stimulating Properties
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Tryptophan
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Serotonin
Melatonin
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Tryptophan naturally found in
proteins; body cannot manufacture
its own
Carbohydrates actually best for
serotonin production
Tryptophan scarcest of all the
amino acids
Carbohydrates increase ratio of
tryptophan in bloodstream
Stimulating Properties
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Tryptophan
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Serotonin
Melatonin
Melatonin
Hormone that assists
in sleep
When eyes stop
detecting light,
serotonin is broken
down into melatonin
Fun Fact!
The best way to
raise serotonin
levels is through
vigorous exercise
Stimulating Properties
Fun Fact!
Dog’s don’t have
enzyme needed
to metabolize
theobromine;
Become highly
over stimulated
Phenylethylamine
 Quickens pulse and makes you feel
alert
 Feelings similar to falling in love
Theobromine
 Mild, natural stimulant
 Molecular “cousin of caffeine
 Cough suppressant
HEALTH RISKS
Health Risks
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Chocolate does contain sugar and fat which provide
a lot of calories
Weight gain from excessive chocolate consumption
cancels any health and especially heart benefits
MODERATION
Recommended daily dose is 3 oz or less of DARK
CHOCOLATE
IS CHOCOLATE ADDICTING?
Is Chocolate Addicting?
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Acts like a drug on a small scale
Influences same parts of brain as morphine,
marijuana, and opiates
In a study by University of Michigan researchers,
volunteers’ desire for chocolate was diminished
after taking an opiate-blocking drug
What Causes Chocolate Cravings?
1) Low blood sugar
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Brain sends a signal telling body it needs fuel
Body often misinterprets as cravings for sugary foods
Chocolate provides a “quick hit” of sugar
2) Low serotonin levels
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Brain recognizes it needs more serotonin
Chocolate boosts serotonin levels
What Causes Chocolate Cravings?
3) Stress!
 Serotonin calms anxiety
4) Culture
 Especially American women
Complex carbs are best to
eat in all these situations!
Why Do Women Crave Chocolate
More Than Men?
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40% of women experience chocolate cravings
10% of men experience chocolate cravings
7-10 days before menstrual period, women often
have lowered serotonin levels
Increased hormone and insulin production lead to
low blood sugar
Does Chocolate Relieve Pain From
Menstrual Cramps?
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Cramps are caused by release of hormone called
prostaglandin from lining of uterus
Prostaglandin causes uterus to undergo contractions
Inflammatory effect and constriction of blood vessels
cuts off the oxygen supply to uterine muscles, causing
pain
Despite chocolate’s pain-relieving properties, its
caffeine and theobromine content is thought to
aggravate symptoms more than relieve them
THE END!
Picture References
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http://groovyfoody.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/densely-dark-chocolate-brownies-with-salted-caramel/
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http://www.lindalife.org/2011/09/13/dark-chocolate/
http://beaugureaufood.com/blog/?p=51
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_chocolate
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