Giacomo Casanova, the world’s most famous lover, had a secret weapon-- chocolate. He savored it before every romantic escapade, even drinking a mug of rich cocoa right before lovemaking. While the ultimate ladies’ man knew of chocolate’s aphrodisiacal powers, he probably didn’t know that eating it helped his health, too. So, go ahead, indulge in this decadent dessert…and give your libido a lift before romantic birthdays and of course, Valentine’s Day.
The Heart of the Matter
You’ve probably noticed a newcomer on the superfoods list: dark chocolate. That’s right – this delicious treat is good for you! “This is the best nutrition news to come out in years,” says Giuli Schacht of Go Natural Living.
Dark chocolate contains a higher percentage of cocoa than milk chocolate. Cocoa is high in flavonoids, which contain a host of health benefits.
“Flavonoids work as antioxidants to protect us from free radical damage,” explains Schacht.
They also prevent oxidation of LDL or bad cholesterol, thus preventing plaque buildup, says Schacht. And she has good news for diabetics: Flavonoids improve insulin sensitivity.
“Cocoa consumption lowers your risk of heart disease,” says Schacht. As you grow older, your arteries become less and less flexible, making it hard for blood to flow through them. This raises your blood pressure. The flavonoids in chocolate boost levels of nitric oxide, which keeps your arteries flexible – and allows blood to flow to your vital organs more easily.
More good news for your ticker: Flavonoids can help prevent a heart attack and stroke by lessening the ability of platelets to clot, explains Schacht.
The Dark Side
“Chocolate is a yummy form of medicine,” she said. But as with any medicine, overdosing or taking the wrong type can lead to unpleasant side effects.
Not all chocolate is created equal. For health benefits, “consume dark chocolate or cocoa powder,” says Schacht.
“It’s the cocoa that’s high in flavonoids,” she continues. “So the higher percentage of cocoa, the more flavonoids it will contain.” A large amount of cocoa can make the bar taste bitter, so try different products to see what appeals to you.
Look out for imposters like white chocolate, which contains no antioxidants, and hot chocolate mixes, which “do not contain a level of antioxidants anywhere near that of pure cocoa,” says Schacht. She recommends buying your own cocoa powder, then adding milk and sugar.
Schacht also recommends a new product on the market called Crispy Cat Candy Bars. Made with organic, vegan, non-gmo, kosher dark chocolate, in three different flavors, they are the perfect desert and cooking medium.
Whether it’s a square of the dark stuff or a steaming mug of rich liquid, doctors warn that – given the calorie count – too much chocolate negates the benefits. “A little goes a long way,” says Schacht.
Getting In the Mood
Casanova used chocolate to enhance his skills in the sack, and his lovers never complained. But why exactly did it turn him on?
The cocoa in chocolate contains more than 300 chemicals, including a stimulant called theobromine. This substance, paired with chocolate’s caffeine, makes us more alert and focused – just what your partner wants when it comes to lovemaking.
Another chemical, anandamide, affects the brain the same way marijuana does. It latches onto the brain’s receptors for a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s active ingredient, and stimulates them. Cocoa also contains two chemicals that slow the breakdown of anandamide, so you feel happier longer. But chocolate only mimics marijuana’s mental effects; it won’t actually get you high. Translation: You get the pleasure rush without breaking the law.
The cocoa in chocolate also triggers the release of phenylethylamine, the chemical produced when you fall in love – and when you have an orgasm. It sparks feelings of attraction, excitement and giddiness. What seals the deal: Tryptophan, which the brain uses to make a neurotransmitter called serotonin – the “feel-good” chemical released during any pleasurable experience, including eating chocolate.
Last, chocolate causes a release of endorphins, which heighten your sensitivity to pain – and pleasure. No wonder our legendary lothario chugged a mug before getting down to business.
Chocolate for Dieters?
Chocolate can put you in the mood for love – until you’ve gained so much weight you can barely fasten your garter belt. Somehow, Casanova managed to indulge his sweet tooth while keeping his body lust-worthy. And you can, too.
Forget deprivation. Just eat it! “I don’t believe that any well-balanced diet should have forbidden foods,” says Giuli Schacht,
“Every successful diet plan should have discretionary calories,” she says. Like discretionary money in your bank account, you can spend them any way you want. Just don’t squander too many. “Losing weight is a simple calories-in versus calories-out formula,” says Schacht. “You can’t expect to eat chocolate without cutting back somewhere else.” So, make small changes: Skip the butter on your toast or spend an extra 15 minutes on the treadmill. Better yet, work up a sweat with your sweetheart between the sheets.
Our nutrition diva reaches for plain dark chocolate when a craving hits. And the Crispy Cat Candy Bars with organic dark chocolate that come in Mint Coconut, Roasted Peanut and Toasted Almond provides a healthy alternative with variety. .
These small, individual bars of chocolate help with portion control, Schacht says. So put down the jumbo bag or King-sized bar! And keep your empty wrappers in front of you to remind you of how much you’ve eaten. Also, steer clear of fillers like caramel, nougat, nuts, and marshmallows, which pack on fat and calories, warns Schacht.
Given chocolate’s mood-boosting powers, it’s no wonder we crave it. “But if you have cravings every day, you need to reevaluate your diet,” explains Schacht. “Perhaps you’re not eating enough other foods, or you’re not eating the kinds of foods that will satisfy you in the long term.” Eat low-fat, lean and fresh foods most of the time, and allow yourself a chocolate indulgence once a week, Schacht suggests.
Theobroma, the Greek term for chocolate, means “food of the gods.” The confection is also praised as “the world’s perfect food.” Casanova himself dubbed it the “elixir of love” and preferred it to champagne. Call it what you will, there reminds no doubt that eating dark chocolate will have positive results on your health and perhaps even your love life.
