Why Many Women Love Chocolate

Chocolate. That dreamy, creamy, rich confection – why do women swoon over it? What makes it so special? Why such a strong fondness for it? How does nibbling on a bit of dark chocolate make you feel? Do you feel a bit happier? Do you feel more alert?

More sexy? Do you feel as if you could conquer the world if only you could take your favourite truffles with you? You’re not alone, especially if you’re a woman. Since its discovery hundreds of years ago in Latin America, chocolate has become the go-to snack for females the world over. Why is this?

It’s Scientifically Proven!

It’s quite interesting to see how chocolate has evolved from a food of gods and kings to a frilly snack favoured by women. Researchers the world over have sought to find a reason why more women than men adore chocolate. In a 2007 study, University of Wisconsin-Madison assistant professor Steve Auger noted that women do have a stronger craving for chocolate, and magnetic resonance tests of brains seemed to prove it.

In women, the reactions of the hypothalamus and the amygdala showed more pronounced differences in women than in men after consuming chocolate. The chocolate seemed to help curb appetite and a decrease in stress. Reduced activity of the amygdala, specifically, is quite interesting, because this is the portion of the brain that triggers your sense of fear, danger, and stress. So according to the theory, the more chocolate you eat, the less stress you might feel.

Perfect! It’s no wonder women love chocolate. The stress of working, of raising a family, of dealing with a clueless boss; it can all be relieved by eating a few pieces of dark chocolate. Not only that, as the ancient Aztecs knew, chocolate is a potent aphrodisiac. They believed in its powers to such an extent, they even associated it with the fertility goddess, Xochiquetzal.

The chocolate women often consume is a far cry from what it’s meant to be. The diluted, sugary milk chocolate made popular by large assembly line manufacturers only give us a hint at the real beauty of the beloved bean, but only when you sink your teeth into a velvety, rich dark chocolate truffle will you truly understand the power of cacao. Quality chocolate is as pure and wholesome as it is delectable.

It Helps To Regulate Your Mood

Perhaps the biggest gender determinant is the fact that chocolate is high in tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps to regulate mood. And what do women have strong cravings for when experiencing pre-menstrual syndrome? Chocolate! It’s also worth noting that chocolate is high in magnesium, and women who suffer from the monthly woes often have a magnesium deficiency. In a sense, women’s bodies are telling them to eat chocolate because it’s what will perk them up and make them feel better, both physically and mentally.

Certainly, marketing campaigns have aggressively targeted women as the main consumers for chocolate and cacao products, but even with only minimal marketing, women around the globe would still crave a cup of cocoa or a few bon-bons to help make their day a little brighter.

Article produced by James Chocolates, creator of luxury handmade chocolates.

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