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Medical myths? Chocolate makes us happy sometimes!
Does chocolate really make you happy? This question is asked again and again by experts, because apparently the sweetness of many people actually acts as a "soul comforter" in case of stress, grief or bad mood. But what exactly is the positive effect? In conversation Prof. Dr. Michael Macht from the University of Würzburg, whether this is a myth or a fact.
Do apples have the same effect??
"Eat a piece of chocolate that makes you happy!" This sentence is familiar to many, if grandma or mother wanted to help with heartache, anger at school or depressed mood. But can the ingredients of the popular candy really improve your mood, or is it a myth? And does the same effect come from other foods? As early as 2006, a research team had asked these questions and, in a small study, observed the effects of eating chocolate and apples on the state of mind.
Chocolate raises the mood more than the fruit
Like the scientists around Professor Michael Macht of the University of Würzburg in the magazine "Appetite" report, they asked 37 normal weight women to eat a chocolate bar, an apple or nothing at all and then rated their subjective condition at 5, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after eating , The interesting result: Both chocolate and the apple had reduced the hunger of the subjects and had a positive effect on the mood. However, the chocolate had a stronger effect, and women also found it enjoyable to consume it, according to the researchers.
Fortunately, the amount of ingredients alone is not enough
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A proof of happy substances in cocoa? For ingredients such as the stimulating-looking caffeine, the structurally related plant alkaloid theobromine or the so-called "happiness hormone" serotonin this is generally true - but the quantities are usually too small to be able to act as a mood lightener. "The luck effect of these substances is however small," explains the head of the "apple study" Michael Macht in conversation with the "mirror". Because especially in the particularly popular milk chocolate according to the experts of the Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy of the University of Würzburg, only a share of about 30 percent cocoa contained.
A blackboard covers a quarter of an adult's daily calorie needs
Instead, the comforting feeling of consuming chocolate could be attributed to other factors. A point here is the high nutritional value, because 100 grams of milk chocolate have a total of about 535 calories, these being largely composed of sugar (about 55 grams) and fat (about 30 g). Accordingly, one tablet is enough to cover a quarter of the average daily energy needs of an adult. And this has a positive effect on our well-being, because on high-calorie foods, the brain reacts with feelings of happiness. This is loud Professor Dr. Michael Macht evolutionarily justified, because thousands of years ago, high-calorie food would probably have often ensured survival: "People were dependent on receiving as much high-energy food, if they had the opportunity," said Macht.
Sensor technology plays the central role
In addition, scientists have recently found out why we continue to feel like chocolate, even when we are already full. This is due to the sugar-fat ratio (about 55 to 30 grams), which provides the body with an optimal mix of energy. But that alone is not the explanation why chocolate makes it so difficult for us to say "no". "Sensor technology plays the most important role in eating chocolate," explains Macht. Because the cocoa butter melts at body temperature, melt the piece of chocolate in the mouth and thus ensure a pleasant feeling. In addition, there would be an intense taste when chewing, as the smell cells in the nose would be stimulated by the flavors. "This excites the senses so much that positive feelings arise," the expert continues.
Memories of childhood play an important role
For many chocolate lovers, the positive connection to special events or experiences from childhood play an important role. Thus, according to Macht, we are "naturally keen on sweet and salty," but what we taste in a particular case "depends on what we associate with food." The chocolate to be rewarded in childhood so memorable that in later life even the thought of the sweet arouse a desire that could only be satisfied with the "object of desire". (No)
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Image: Timo Klostermeier / pixelio.de