Tag Archive: chocolate science
Do You Think You Are Addicted To Chocolate?
April 12, 2022
Did you know that according to research, chocolate is one of the most craved foods in the world? Some people even claim that they are chocoholics but, is it really possible to be addicted to it? Can we even consider it as a drug?
Cacao Trees and The Chocolate Climate
March 29, 2022
Ever wonder why chocolate is only produced in some parts of the world? What’s interesting is that cacao trees only flourish in the “cocoa belt”.
Chocolate Is A Fruit?
March 15, 2022
Some say chocolate is a fruit. Others say it’s a vegetable… or a nut. But what is it exactly?
Why We Should Eat More Chocolate (According to a Neuroscientist!)
March 23, 2021
What do you think of when you hear the term “nutritious food”? Personally, my mind immediately goes to items like carrots, apples, or anything green.
6 Big Mistakes to Avoid When Making Homemade Chocolates
June 30, 2020
Chocolate is meant to bring a smile to your face… but what if it doesn’t? Well, you are not alone. The chocolate-making process is sometimes not so sweet!
While making chocolate may seem simple, it can be very technical to work with. Preparation, attention to detail, and the way you handle chocolate will have a huge impact on the end result.
To prevent your chocolatey treat from turning into a cocoa-tastrophe, here are 6 big mistakes to avoid when making homemade chocolate.
Scientists Reveal How Chocolate Can Taste Even Better
June 20, 2014
I’ll say it time and again, a good bar of chocolate can make any day better. There are many things about chocolate that makes it irresistible. The flavor, texture, and the aroma all add up to its being head-tilting delectable.
To all the self-proclaimed and true blue chocoholics out there, here’s yet another reason to celebrate. A group of researchers from Germany and Switzerland, which we all know are the leading producers of the best chocolate, are working their tails off to better its taste.
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Chocolate As A Substitute For Baby-Making?
June 6, 2014
Mark Miodownik researched the countries that have the highest chocolate consumption. Turns out, they are all located in Northern Europe. Switzerland is the leader; then Ireland followed suit, then there’s the U.K., Austria, Belgium, and Germany.
When you have a little too much time on your hands, you can look up the fertility rates in the said countries. It goes to show that females in these chocolate-loving countries happen to have fewer than two babies (except Ireland and France). Yup, that’s below the replacement rate. If this goes on, the said countries are bound to get smaller with time.
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Eat Chocolate, Slow Down Aging Process
May 23, 2014
Going grocery shopping? Make sure you add chocolates to your shopping list. Why? I said it a million times, it acts like serotonin in your brain -- it makes you happy! On top of that, the catechins in chocolate help keep wrinkles away.
See to it that you buy dark chocolate with at least 85% cacao, though. Otherwise, the sugars undo what chocolate does. You body may be older than you would like it to be, however you can still do something to slow down the aging process. Here are some tips to heed:
Your Gut Bacteria Makes Chocolate Healthier
April 11, 2014
Dark chocolate has been known to have a plethora of health benefits. We’ve heard it time and again that it’s good for the heart and that having chocolate regularly gives you lower body weight.
Just recently, scientists have unveiled one of the many reasons. Bacteria in the gut turn cocoa into compounds that lower inflammation and make us feel full.
Well, isn’t it a delightful time to be a dark-chocolate lover! Word has it that the magic may reside in our own bellies. Science says so. Yeah, science!
Chocolate Cravings Explained
April 4, 2014
Chocolate is one of the world’s favorite things. It’s way beyond just a treat. It’s unimaginable, even, to know there’s chocolate in the pantry and just ignore it. Why can’t we just resist its allure? Why can’t we do without it? The psychology behind these intense chocolate cravings is becoming more and more controversial a topic for researchers.
Dr. Amy Jo Stavnezer, a professor of psychology and neuroscience, can give some explanation for the existence of such cravings. “The experience of eating chocolate releases dopamine in particular brain regions. That same dopamine is released during sex, laughter and other activities that are enjoyable. Moreover, the frontal lobe creates a memory of this experience, so whenever people think of chocolate, the brain craves for that same experience again.”, she says.