preview

Research Paper on Chocolate

Better Essays

Ukotic 1 Veronica Ukotic Professor Kathleen Forhan US 315 Transitions 13 March 2013 Irresistible Chocolate with Benefits ! Smooth. Creamy. Simply heaven! These are the thoughts that flood my mind when I think of this once forbidden treat known as chocolate. Holding a worldwide appeal, chocolate has been a temptation to many for years. So, knowing that something this desirable is beneficial to one’s health would make a chocoholic’s day, right? Well, great news! There has been recent nutritional research studies that have proven chocolate to be beneficial to one’s health and irresistible. ! The cacao bean was founded by an ancient tribe called the Olmecs between the time of 1200 to 300 B.C. They were a tribe that inhabited the tropical …show more content…

! While chocolate gives a pick me up, it also provides a euphoric feeling long after consumed. Why is this? Well, chocolate contains a pleasure molecule known as anandamide. This molecule fits into the cannabinoid receptor site of the cells located in the central nervous system. Usually broken down quickly, anandamide that is eaten by the chocolate lover remains in the receptor cells for a longer period of time. This is due to the additional anandamide-like compounds that were found in chocolate. They block the natural enzyme that would normally metabolize anandamide faster. Released in small quantities and at a slower rate, the individual is then provided with a blissful feeling that a chocoholic has grown fond of (Wallenstein 83). ! Chocolate had been for years not only identified as a pleasure food, but of having medicinal value. During the mid-seventeenth century, the Mayans’ wrote scientific Ukotic 4 dissertations, known as Badianus Codex. This ancient text would outline the medicinal benefits of chocolate. It would state how cacao would treat various illnesses such as constipation, angina, and fatigue. The Mayans’ would also write manuscripts named Ritual of the Bacabs. These documents would provide specific instruction on how to perform human rituals in conjunction with

Get Access