Tag Archive: phenylethylamine
Dark Chocolate Reduces Chronic Fatigue
April 19, 2012
Chronic fatigue syndrome refers to a disorder which tends to cause extreme fatigue. It's not the exhausted feeling you get which just goes away after you get some rest. Rather, it typically stays around for at least 6 months and holds you back from going about your daily routine efficiently.
Symptoms of chronic fatigue include physiological problems like tender lymph nodes, sore throat, sleep problems, pain in multiple joints, headaches, memory problems, and muscle pain, among others.
Other medical disorders come with these symptoms, as well, making it difficult to diagnose. The precise causative factors for chronic fatigue syndrome are still unknown. Practically anyone can suffer from it, but it is commonly seen in women in their 40's and 50's. It can't be cured, but it is highly treatable.
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Chocolate Better Than Kissing?
December 8, 2011
Young couples volunteered to have their hearts and brains monitored and were then asked to melt dark chocolate in their mouths before kissing their partners.
The research was led by Dr David Lewis, formerly of the University of Sussex, and now of the Mind Lab. "These results really surprised and intrigued us," he said. "While we fully expected chocolate - especially dark chocolate - to increase heart rates due to the fact it contains some highly stimulating substances, both the length of the increase, together with the powerful effects it had on the mind, were something none of us had anticipated."
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Why Women Crave Chocolates
September 1, 2011
We all have chocolate cravings, but women seem to have stronger desire for it than men do. Why is it so? Research has found that these cravings may be in relation to blood sugar levels, stress and hormonal changes caused by a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Chocolates have sugar and caffeine content and these can alter your blood sugar levels. One reason why we sometimes crave chocolates is because sugar in our blood hits the low levels and chocolates can be a good source of a quick sugar fix.
Eating chocolate never fails to make you feel good and this is due to the serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that can enhance the mood. This is the main reason why chocolate is a renowned comfort food.
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Ooh La La – Chocolate and Kissing
February 18, 2011
Now here is a research study that will make your day!
According to a study done in the UK, chocolate and kissing stimulate the body in very similar physiological ways.
The researchers studied six couples and measured brain waves during various activities including kissing and letting a piece of chocolate melt in their mouths.
Both kissing and eating chocolate increased the activity in the brain that signals alertness and relaxation.
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Is Chocolate a Mood Food?
November 11, 2010
You've heard things about chocolate: chocolate makes you feel good, in love, amorous, calm, not depressed. Fact or fiction?
There is no doubt chocolate brings about chemical reactions in the body, in fact, all food stimulates endorphins in the brain when eaten. But even with all that going on, scientists have yet to find sufficient evidence that proves chocolate and other “mood foods” can cause enough bodily changes to be noticeable.
Scientists know that neurotransmitters affect the brain. High levels of serotonin are associated with feelings of being calm, happy, and relaxed; and dopamine and norepinephrine cause feelings of pleasure and reward. The physiological connection between food and brain chemicals has been documented but the effects are usually not enough to make a real difference in our moods.
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Fact or Fiction: Chocolate as Aphrodisiac
October 28, 2010
Is chocolate an aphrodisiac? Everything I’ve read about cacao says that chocolate as an aphrodisiac is a myth.
Well, not everything I read says that, just the scientific stuff...
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Chocolate and Romance: A Great Pairing
February 8, 2010
No one knows for sure how St. Valentines Day became synonymous with romantic love. There are a number of theories, but that is not really important. Once the tradition got started, all kinds of things naturally presented themselves as part of the language of love...
Like chocolate, for instance.
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