CHocolate

1. CHocolate How It affects the human body

2. Popularity • 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

3. Types of Chocolate • Milk Chocolate Dark Chocolate White Chocolate • Adds about 12% milk to dark chocolate • Has no cocoa solids • Cocoa butter + milk + sugar Unsweetened chocolate + sweeteners + cocoa butter

4. Nutritional Information • 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

5. Health benefits

6. 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

7. Stimulating Properties Anandamide • 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

8. 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

9. Stimulating Properties Fun Fact! Endorphins are also triggered by music and laughter. Endorphins • Hormone • Binds to opiate receptors • Controls pain, stress, frustration • Generates feelings of pleasure

10. Stimulating Properties 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 Tryptophan Serotonin Melatonin

11. Stimulating Properties • 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 Tryptophan Serotonin Melatonin

12. Stimulating Properties Fun Fact! The best way to raise serotonin levels is through vigorous exercise • Melatonin • Hormone that assists in sleep • When eyes stop detecting light, serotonin is broken down into melatonin • Tryptophan • Serotonin • Melatonin

13. 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

14. Health Risks

15. Health Risks • 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

16. Is chocolate Addicting?

17. Is Chocolate Addicting? • 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

18. What Causes Chocolate Cravings? • Low blood sugar • Brain sends a signal telling body it needs fuel • Body often misinterprets as cravings for sugary foods • Chocolate provides a “quick hit” of sugar • Low serotonin levels • Brain recognizes it needs more serotonin • Chocolate boosts serotonin levels

19. What Causes Chocolate Cravings? • Stress! • Serotonin calms anxiety • Culture • Especially American women Complex carbs are best to eat in all these situations!

20. Why Do Women Crave Chocolate More Than Men? • 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

21. Does Chocolate Relieve Pain From Menstrual Cramps? • 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

22. The End!

23. Picture References • http://groovyfoody.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/densely-dark-chocolate-brownies-with-salted-caramel/ • http://www.longbeachstuff.com/2012/02/the-belmont-shore-chocolate-festival-spring-sweets-march-24-2012.html • http://lumdimsum.com/tag/holiday/ • http://getupandgodog.blogspot.com/2012/04/dogs-and-chocolate-truth.html • http://www.lindalife.org/2011/09/13/dark-chocolate/ • http://beaugureaufood.com/blog/?p=51 • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_chocolate • http://www.realage.com/food/flavonoids • http://tpe-cannabis-1es2.e-monsite.com/pages/i-what-explains-the-popularity-of-cannabis/cannabis-on-the-brain.html • http://www.5deal.net/itunes-c-17.html • http://www.mnartists.org/event.do?rid=280337 • http://www.anxietyandstress.com/exerciseandanxietydisorders.html • http://www.darkchocolatehealthbenefits.org/dark-chocolate-cholesterol-benefits.html • http://www.topnews.in/health/eating-chocolate-cuts-heart-failure-risk-among-women-28387