Why do I have such a strong desire for chocolate?

by Naksha Rana occasions

If you're anything like me, you're undoubtedly wondering, "Why do I crave chocolate all the time?" I began to wonder why I favoured and craved this over all other sweets when I realized it.

I was curious to discover whether there was any psychology or science that could support the consistent, all-day, every-day urges that I have. Okay, maybe not every day, but at least once a day, I wish I was eating chocolate right now. So, to figure out why I crave chocolate, I conducted some studies.

Surprise! Chocolate Can Make You Feel Happy

Chocolates make everyone joyful, which is one of the primary reasons I discovered was an answer to why I crave chocolate. No, I'm not joking. Chocolate is a food that people crave because it tastes nice, smells good, and feels great when it melts in our mouths.

What makes you joyful is the sensation of eating chocolate. Chocolate causes dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter, to be released into specific areas of the brain, including the frontal lobe, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. So, if you are thinking of some anniversary gift ideas for parents then your search is over. Gift them chocolate and make them happy.

Dopamine is released whenever you have a pleasurable event, such as eating chocolate. Dopamine release is influenced in part by heredity, but it can also be conditioned by personal preferences and life events.

Initially, some scientists believed that chocolate contained compounds that directly activate the dopamine system (similar to drugs like cocaine or cigarettes), but a study found that simply ingesting the chemicals in chocolate was insufficient to curb cravings; the expertise of eating chocolate was also required.

Chocolate Can Help You Relax and is a stress reliever

Chocolate can lessen your stress levels since dopamine is produced in your brain when you eat it. This explains why people seek chocolate under stressful situations or when they require comfort or reassurance. If you are looking for wedding anniversary gift ideas for parents then you should think no more and gift them chocolates to relieve their stress.

Your desires are influenced by your emotions. I crave chocolate because I equate it with comfort food - I eat it as a mood booster, when I'm feeling down, or when I just need a rise in my blood sugar mid-day, similar to how people crave soup when they're sick.

Deficiencies in Magnesium

Chocolate includes magnesium, a vitamin that many people, particularly women, are lacking in. Chocolate isn't the most magnesium-rich food on the list, but it is the only one in the top ten that has been linked to dopamine production in the brain. If you are thinking of mummy papa anniversary gift ideas then gift them chocolates as it has magnesium which is good for them.

Other foods with greater magnesium include leafy greens, figs, avocados, and nuts, but chocolate has high magnesium content, with about 176 mg in a 100 g meal. This data is for dark chocolate (above 60% cocoa), which is often thought to be the healthier variety of chocolate due to its lower sugar content per serving.

Experts estimate that 80 per cent of women are magnesium deficient, and dark chocolate is a delicious method to boost your magnesium levels. Although chocolate should not be used as a primary source of magnesium, it does help to satisfy my cravings.

So there you have it: I've figured out why I crave chocolate. And now I know why I'm always so happy afterwards, which isn't always a bad thing. Plus, with all of these advantages, you may enjoy your chocolate guilt-free. Enjoy your meal!