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Scientific facts about why chocolate is uplifting and what &171;happiness hormones&187; it contains

Many people know the amazing effect of such a product as chocolate: once you eat a piece, the world around you blooms with new colors, problems become less, and joys become more. Such a reaction is not just related to the addiction of sweet tooths to their favorite delicacy.

Chocolate contains a complex of useful substances that in a certain way affect the biochemical processes in the brain.

According to one study , the participants of the experiment noted an improved mood and increased activity after eating chocolate.

Other research confirms the positive effect of chocolate on cognitive functions such as memory, attention and a sense of cheerfulness.

The effects of chocolate on the brain so strong that it can even alleviate the symptoms of depression, neurosis, and also help fight stress.

How does it affect emotional well-being?

Almost any product has any beneficial properties for the body. But in order to get the substances necessary for the body from most of them, it is necessary either to eat this product regularly, or to eat it in sufficient quantities for some time.

It's different with chocolate: its anti-stress and toning effect is noticeable instantly . Chocolate gives strength very quickly and can be used to lift the mood, and sometimes brings consciousness into a state close to euphoria. It is also known that dark chocolate reduces the amount of the stress hormone cortisol.

Also, some studies confirm that chocolate Improves memory and attention .

The sweet treat has, of course, contraindications, and first of all it is obesity, since the product is very high in calories. But, for example, bitter chocolate, contains little or no refined sugar , which means it is safe for diabetics who cannot have a lot of sweets, and for those who are overweight.

It is also interesting that it is almost impossible to overeat dark chocolate: having a pronounced taste, it quickly saturates and &171;becomes boring &187;, therefore there are practically no side effects from excess food , which cannot be said, for example, about alcohol or coffee. Their overabundance immediately affects your health.

What is the name of the "joy hormone" contained in chocolate?

It is believed that chocolate contains the so-called hormone of happiness. This is not quite true.

Firstly, cocoa beans, from which chocolate is made, have the specific taste and aroma of cocoa butter . They already give pleasure by themselves, acting on the sense of smell and taste buds.

Secondly, chocolate does not contain the hormone of joy, but an amino acid called &171;tryptophan&187; . This amino acid is also found in meat, chicken eggs, mushrooms, cheese and other dairy products. Tryptophan stimulates the production of the hormone of happiness in the brain.

Thirdly, in addition to tryptophan, there are many other substances in everyone's favorite delicacy that favorably and quite quickly affect well-being.

  1. Caffeine. Quickly invigorates and tones up, Increases mental performance and physical strength. It helps to react quickly in difficult situations, reduces fatigue, eliminates drowsiness.
  2. Theobromine. An alkaloid similar in action to caffeine, but milder in action.
  3. Phenylethylamine. It is a chemical compound &8212; a natural neurotransmitter that synthesizes in the body Brain stimulators , such as dopamine.
  4. Cannabinoids. These are substances that can be called stimulants of the psycho-physical state. They are found even in marijuana, but they cannot cause any dependence, since they are contained in cocoa beans in small quantities.
  5. Catechins, flavonoids and phenols. These are antioxidants that improve the condition of the body as a whole, produce endorphins and serotonin, slow down the aging process in the body, protect it from stress at all levels.
  6. Natural flavors. In effect, they resemble valproic acid, a medicine that is used in the treatment of epilepsy. These flavors from cocoa butter have a sedative effect, relieve excessive excitability.
Serotonin is needed not only for Mood improvements . It is an essential neurotransmitter, without which even normal interaction between brain neurons and body muscles is impossible. And since serotonin is consumed constantly, especially in stressful situations, periodic replenishment of its reserves in the body is necessary.

Which kind is better to use?

Chocolate is found in several types. They differ in the percentage of cocoa beans in it:

  1. White does not include cocoa bean masses at all: it contains only cocoa butter, so its effect as an antidepressant can be attributed mainly to the placebo effect;
  2. Dairy has about 65% grated cocoa beans;
  3. Dark or black chocolate has a rich taste and contains up to 75% cocoa mass;
  4. Gorky can include up to 99% cocoa beans.

Until recently, it was believed that the more cocoa beans in chocolate, the faster and better it works on the mood. It's true. But rather, if a person eats such a product not because they need it, but because they prefer it themselves.

If milk chocolate is the priority, then it will give much more pleasure than the unloved dark or bitter.

This is due to the fact that tryptophan, which is responsible for mood, is absorbed and does not act immediately. Otherwise, the eaten egg or cutlet would also have an instant effect as antidepressants.

All stimulating substances in the complex act faster on the neuropsychic state. And a special role belongs to the aroma of cocoa butter : olfactory receptors are also primarily involved in the mechanism of mood improvement.

Studies have shown that chocolate improves mood the faster the more depressed a person was before eating the treat. In an even mood, such a noticeable effect is not observed.

7 More Healthy foods

Chocolate is far from the only factor in improving mood. There are other antidepressant products, useful for the brain . They must be in the diet of every person, since the supply of hormones responsible for a good mood tends to run out.

  1. Natural yogurt. It contains the amino acid tyrosine, which, like tryptophan, increases serotonin levels. In addition, milk proteins, combined with serotonin, calm the nervous system.
  2. Porridge made from whole grains. The whole complex of B vitamins, minerals support a stable and calm state of the nervous system.
  3. Citrus fruits. High content of vitamin C, as well as fructose, cheer up and relieve tension.
  4. Almond nut. Vitamins E, group B, zinc and magnesium are essential for maintaining good spirits and tone.
  5. Oily sea fish. Vitamins B6 and B12, as well as fatty acids, perfectly fight stress and relieve anxiety. Salmon is especially rich in these anti-stress substances. More detailed about the effects of fish oil look at the brain in a separate article.
  6. Broccoli cabbage. Amino acids in its composition and folic acid are a real salvation for those who are familiar with panic attacks. It relieves anxiety, improves psycho-emotional state and improves attention .
  7. Seeds and nuts. A tablespoon of sunflower seeds or 40 g of any nuts have an antidepressant effect. Vitamins E, group B, folic acid help to produce dopamine, which is responsible for feeling happy.

Other important recommendations

You can enhance the effect of food, which helps to be in a good mood. Simple rules can become a habit and be a good help for chocolate and other food in keeping up spirits.

  1. Hobby, hobby. It is not necessary to devote a lot of time to it. People are usually very pleased even just knowing that certain days and hours will be devoted to their favorite business.
  2. Walk. The abundance of details of the outside world distracts from pressing problems. And the combination of walking with looking at pictures of nature or just passers-by sometimes works wonders with the mood.
  3. Physical activity. It's not about sports, but about any physical action: putting things in their places, washing floors or dishes, dancing, just walking or even kneading anti-stress toys with your hands noticeably relax and eventually bring peace.
  4. Sleep. The amount of the sleep hormone melatonin produced during night rest is directly proportional to the amount of serotonin produced in the brain.
  5. Cold shower. This method can be used, of course, only if your health is in order. Cold water, splashing in strong thin jets, activates all skin receptors, from which there is an instant impulse to the brain. There is a physical and mental reboot of the body and improves mood.
  6. Animals. Communication, especially with animals, sometimes gives positive emotions no less than communication with people. And in some cases, only contact with the natural world is able to pull a person out of a depressed state.
  7. Caring. The emotions of depression are well replaced by a state of contentment and even joy when a person cares about others. Giving love and attention is the easiest way to get a positive emotional boost.

Interesting video

And now we invite you to familiarize yourself with the video:

Psychological state &8212; subtle substance: it is not always possible to influence the state of happiness. But the biochemical processes in the brain that occur when eating mood-enhancing food are quite understandable and manageable. And such an effective way as eating chocolate is deservedly popular and loved by many.

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