A very wise woman once said, “There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love chocolate, and communists” (Leslie Moak Murray). Ms. Murray couldn’t be any closer to the truth. In accordance with hers, my motto is that nine out of ten people like chocolate, and the tenth person always lies. For many, including myself, this decadently smooth delight is considered to be the ninth wonder of the world. In fact, as far back as I can remember, I have had a love for this simple dessert, as does almost every woman on my mother’s side of the family. Clearly, this genetic addiction is too far out of my control, so I might as well just embrace it while I’m young and my metabolism is still kicking. Thus, here’s to you, chocolate, the best substance in the entire world.

    Luckily for me, there are tons of studies showing the numerous health benefits of chocolate in all its forms. Dark chocolate, my personal favorite, has even more advantages than its lighter counterparts. One of the biggest buzzwords associated with the food is ‘antioxidants;’ which are compounds that prevent or slow the damage done to our body by free radicals (or by-products) of the oxygen our cells use. One antioxidant in particular, polyphenolic flavonoids, are more abundant in milk chocolate than in five servings of fruits or vegetables. They are known to prevent cardiovascular disease by minimizing the oxidation of low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and enhance immune function through the prolonged proliferation and activity of our white blood cells (SuperMarketGuru.com). Another active ingredient is phenethylamine, which stimulates the nervous system; triggering the release of endorphins that dull pain and give a sense of well being. Lastly, we have the neurotransmitters that increase the dopamine, serotonin, and anandamide levels in the brain — causing a feeling of sexual arousal and pleasure. Chocolate also contains healthful nutrients, such as the minerals calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper, which are essential for normal biological functions — growth, metabolism, and oxygen transport. As Michael Levine, a nutrition researcher, says in his book, The Emperors of Chocolate: Inside the Secret World of Hershey and Mars, “ Chemically speaking, chocolate really is the world’s perfect food.”

    Moving away from the chemical aspects, let’s get down to the raw satisfaction that the taste itself gives us when compared to other not-as-delicious treats. Part of the pleasure of eating chocolate is due to the fact that its melting point is slightly below human body temperature, therefore causing it to melt in the mouth. What other dessert can you think of that does this? Ice cream melts, but to keep it in your mouth for an extended period of time would seem to be an unpleasant experience. What about hard candies? Those melt! This is so, however our generation has tested to be generally impatient, and these sugar rocks are just not doing it for me with the time aspect. So what if the whole melting thing just isn’t that big of a deal to you? Is there anything else about chocolate that makes it good besides its viscosity? I’m glad you asked. The next time you bite into a bar, remember this little fun fact: Aztec warriors would drink a cacao mixture as a kind of elixir before going into battle in order to maximize their strength and agility as they believed it to be a “nourishment of the Gods” (yenra.com). If you want to be fierce like the Aztec warriors and praised like a deity, get your daily moderation of chocolate. It’s that simple.

    Perhaps the most cliched of chocolate’s uses is to prove to or remind that special someone how much you care about him or her. Valentines Day wouldn’t be the same without it; and for those like me, who usually go without a Valentine, it wouldn’t even be a worthwhile holiday except for the fact that buying a box for yourself becomes acceptable. Again, no other substance defines a day as much as this. Romantic lore commonly identifies chocolate as an aphrodisiac. The reputed “love” qualities of chocolate are most often associated with the simple sensual pleasure of its consumption. Although there is no proof that chocolate is indeed an aphrodisiac, a gift of chocolate is a familiar courtship ritual. Other well known aphrodisiacs in our culture are oysters, hummus, prunes, and coffee. Now, to me, these do not seem nearly as sensual or universally enjoyed as chocolate — they all have a certain acquired taste. Feeding them to your lover, you run the risk that he or she will not like them at all; which means no love for you. Indeed your safest bet is to go with a box of truffles, dark chocolate-dipped strawberries, or even just a Hershey kiss. In the classic comic, Peanuts, Lucy Van Pelt sums it up beautifully when she says, “All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!” (Charles M. Schultz)

    There is no other food out there that can chemically enhance your mood, increase your libido, and just taste so darn good. You don’t often hear of a group of people claiming to be “cheeseaholics,” now do you? There is simply no comparison. So the next time you want to amp up your spirit, look no further than the kitchen cupboard (unless you are such a sad individual as to not have at least some form of chocolate in your house at all times). Now if you’ll excuse me, all this talking about my sweet has caused me to be in desperate need to scrounge up a bit for myself. See you next Easter!