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  Adds about 12% milk to dark chocolate  Has no cocoa solids  Cocoa butter + milk + sugar Dark ChocolateWhite Chocolate  Unsweetened chocolate + sweeteners + cocoa butter Milk Chocolate

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. Tryptophan Serotonin Melatonin 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

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 CChocolate does contain sugar and fat which provide a lot of calories WWeight gain from excessive chocolate consumption cancels any health and especially heart benefits MODERATION R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? 1)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 2)Low serotonin levels  Brain recognizes it needs more serotonin  Chocolate boosts serotonin levels

19. What Causes Chocolate Cravings? 3)Stress!  Serotonin calms anxiety 4)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