Does Chocolate Really Have Aphrodisiac Qualities Or Is It Just A Myth?
Keywords: chocolate, candy, fine chocolate
I started to wonder whether or not chocolate was really an aphrodisiac. Aphrodisiacs, as you know, are those things that are supposed to make you sensitive to erotic stimulation. The name itself comes from the Ancient Greek goddess, Aphrodite, who was both feared for her might and worshiped for her beauty.
Chocolate’s “love” qualities though could come from our own cultural understanding. We think that it is an aphrodisiac, so it becomes one. I mean, it tastes good. And, then there is that smooth, melting sensation on the tongue, since chocolate’s melting point is just below human body temperature. That’s sort of stimulating in itself, don’t you think? But then we ought to consider the chemical composition of chocolate. What exactly is in the stuff? And where did this idea of it being an aphrodisiac come from in the first place?
The answer to whether or not chocolate is an aphrodisiac differs from person to person, but I will tell you what I found out and let you decide on your own.
According to some sources, the Aztecs, the first people to cultivate cacao, celebrated chocolate’s aphrodisiacal powers. They used to eat vast quantities of food cooked with chocolate during the harvest time, and then engage in raucous orgies during festivals. But there are also reports that say that the men in Aztec society forbid chocolate-cooked food to women, because of its power as an aphrodisiac.
While both of these reports could be factual, I am not sure of them. Because it seems to me that if the men forbid women to eat chocolate, why did they have wild orgies during harvest time? Something doesn’t add up. They would seemingly be forcing it on their women! But that’s just the humble opinion of this author. Nonetheless, the Aztecs thought chocolate had erotic powers.
History is also replete with examples of others who were convinced of chocolate’s powers. The courtesan of French King Louis XV, Madame du Barry, apparently made sure that her lovers drank a brimming cup of chocolate before they were granted entrance to her boudoir. And Casanova, the famed Casanova, drank chocolate daily at the Florian Cafe in Venice, proclaiming the drink to be better, that is, more stimulating, than champagne. And these are just some of the examples.
So obviously people throughout history have considered chocolate to have aphrodisiacal properties. But what gives it those properties? Chemicals! Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, an amino acid that occurs naturally. Some claim that phenylethylamine can even cure hangovers, but it certainly is related to love. Your body, apparently, secretes it when you are struck head over heels. And that’s not the only brain chemical that chocolate contains. It also has levels of dopamine and serotonin, both of which are pain killers and put you in a better mood. Serotonin even causes you to have a pleasurable feeling akin to the one you get when you stand in the sun.
Its no wonder that chocolate’s so popular! Tasty, uplifting, stimulating, what more could you ask for? Oh, aphrodisiacal? Well, none of the sources I could find gave a concrete opinion on whether or not chocolate was really an aphrodisiac. But, in all honesty, who cares? With all the other stuff going for it, does chocolate need to be an aphrodisiac for you to want to eat it? Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some exquisite dark chocolate to nibble on.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as fine chocolate at www.finechocolategifts.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Discount Hiking Boots Don't Necessarily Have To Be Poor Quality (1)
So what if you can't afford it. Are you not going to go hiking? Are you going to stop something you love? Why not buy a pair of discount hiking boots?
Tips For Thanksgiving Feast (2)
Add one cup of sugar to strained juice and heat until sugar is dissolved. Chill. Add the juice of one lemon and one orange just before serving. For the Thanksgiving dinner roast turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, peach pickles, fruit salad, buttered asparagus, hot rolls and jelly are traditional with us.
What You Should Eat For Optimum Health (3)
Make use of nuts for snacks and use them to sometimes replace meat or poultry. Gregg Hall is a business consultant to many online and offline businesses and has been involved in the fitness and nutrition field for over 25 years.
If You Getting Into Golf You Must Have A Good Pair Of Golf Shoes (4)
Golf has become wildly popular because you don't have to be a superstar athlete to enjoy it, and it's a fantastic way to relieve stress. There are countless other reasons why golf has exploded in popularity, but there isn't enough space here to list them all.
How Calling Cards Got Started In The United States (5)
In 2001 the industry revolutionized its self again. The first prepaid mobile phone became available. After the minutes were used up, the phone could either be recharged or discarded and a new one purchased.
Racing Boat Supreme:The Skater Power Boat (6)
You can get model boat kits that are designed for all types of skill levels. Some of these are very easy and most anyone can put them together. Others are very complicated and will require a lot of skill.
Making Wine From Grapes (7)
The mixture should then be left to ferment for five days. Following this, the pulp should be strained through a strong coarse cloth to prevent bursting and wrung out as dry as you can.
Chinese Voices Could Possibly Dominate Business (8)
"Most of my clients are agents and producer, all of them had been satisfied with my work, most of them would hire me when they have Chinese VO order. And some of them find my website by searching engine, also I can get hired through voice over marketplaces." Zhenyu, in agreement with Kuang, shared "The most efficient way (of finding work) is through the voiceover marketplace.
How To Choose The Proper Car Seat For Your Baby (9)
This makes it easy to get the child in and out of the car without having to mess with a seatbelt every time. With this type of car seat you can leave the baby in the carrier and take the whole carrier into the store or house with you.
Easing Into A Handspring With A Neck Spring (10)
In the bent-arm handspring the performer can concentrate on coordinating the leg kick with the hip snap into a good arch while still improving his head position. In the more advanced handspring the mechanics of the kick and arch should take the performer over onto his feet.
How To Buy Men's Designer Dress Shoes On A Budget (11)
You should always put quality first, not just because the shoes will last longer but because they are usually better for the health of your feet as well. Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida.Get your brand name shoes at www.brandnameshoesplus.com
If You Want To Make A Good First Impression You Need To Be Concerned With The Way You Dress (12)
Your hairstyle, the length and design of your clothes, the colors all play together to make or mar your appearance. Look at those who look good, there are certainly a few who have some or most of your features.
How Antique Binoculars Arouse Enormous Interest From Collectors (13)
Seasoned collectors/dealers often discuss or trade information on the antique instruments. Collecting is expensive. A person, who is a member of the Antique Telescope Society, may own an antique instrument, or they may not.
Tips On Short Hook, Pocket Hit, Baby Splits And Fit-In Shot Of Bowling (14)
THE POCKET HIT Not an uncommon leave is the 1-3-6-9-10, which often is the result of a ball that hooked too soon, or was directed too far to the left.
Shopping For Men's Designer Suits (15)
but I sure would love to have an Armani." Rest assured that if you hear yourself in the above comments, you're not alone. Countless businessmen would love to have fancy designer suits, but their budget doesn't allow for it; champagne tastes on a beer budget ...
Why You Should Consider Quality Custom Wine Gift Baskets For Your Gift Giving (16)
New neighbors may enjoy being welcomed into the neighborhood with a wine basket. Friends and families alike will enjoy the simplicity of such a great gift. There are many places to purchase wine gift baskets.
How To Choose The Best Basket To Make Your Own Custom Giftbasket (17)
Making a fruit basket is an excellent option, but most of us do not know how to make a fruit basket. Making a fruit basket isn't all that difficult to make as we think it is.
Should You Try To Use EBay To Buy Items Wholesale? (18)
If you are like me then you are probably oblivious to how incredible eBay really is. I have been using the site for several years, almost since the beginning.
How To Taste Wine Like A Pro (19)
The type of wine making process has a lot to do with the color as well; red wine is fermented with the skin and the longer the process the darker the wine ends up.
Why Clog Shoes Are Still Popular Today (20)
Men's clog shoes are popular across Europe because of its availability, durability and most of all inexpensive. Men's clog shoes provide relief to the feet during long days at work.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
The Book You Need To Read To Help You Succeed In A Coffee Driven World (1)
Through the beginning of planning a coffee shop to obtaining proper licenses this book can help you to achieve your dream. The book comes with a CD to help you through the entire process from start to finish.
How To Entertain A Sick Child (2)
As soon as the youngsters get acquainted with your finger fairies they'll want some of their own. Draw one for the young invalid, except that you make the holes to fit his fingers.
More Useful Tips On Bowling (3)
The wonderful thing about the game, however, is that it requires no special ability, except perhaps co-ordination, to become a champion. Even co-ordination can be developed. So shoot high, but don't ever be misled into thinking that you can reach the top without lots of practice.
Some Helpful Tips To Help You Choose The Perfect Watch For The Man In Your Life (4)
Many watch faces are oversized, a new trend, and can actually be very suitable on most men. You must base the size of the watch face on the span of the wrist for a watch to look good.
The History Of Wood Households (5)
Now you know something about the different kinds of things that are made from the woods. These things are not only useful but they also are now preserved as antiques in museums and at homes, etc.
How To Memorize Words Faster And Better (6)
Here are a couple of tips and tricks that should help you memorize words faster, easier and most importantly, for a longer period of time. Avoid the Phonebook Method This is the old fashioned, traditional vocabulary improvement method used for a long time in schools as a language learning technique.
Golf Rules Number Of Clubs Shouldn't Be Overlooked (7)
Keywords: |golf rules, Ekj Rules Of Golf, Proline Ontario Golf Lottery Rules, Golf Rules Usgaf And The Rules, Wol Of all the official golf rules, number of clubs is one that can be easily overlooked or ignored, but it is an important rule to follow.
Some Ideas To Help You Revamp Your Treadmill Workout And Make It Less Boring (8)
This change will be easy to remember and you may find yourself able to jog longer and longer each time you try this approach. Another way to enhance your workout is to use the incline adjustments.
How To Distinguish High Quality Boots From Poor Ones (9)
Cheaper shoes tend to have bigger stitching that not only looks unattractive but also comes apart after a short space of time. Boots don't have to be perfect. The main aim for a shoemaker is to get it to fit the feet.
Improving Your Traction And Sports Performance With Cleats (10)
Though they list their products as Soccer cleats, their products are well made and suitable for just about every sport. Now there is a gallery of powerful information yours for the taking.
Do You Know About Downloadable Audio Books? (11)
Should this be abridged, there will be some changes but more or less will deliver the same message. Those who love stories but do not have the time to read will greatly appreciate the dramatized audio book.
Why Kids Are Crazy About Extreme Sports (12)
Some of the others that kids are really getting into these days include BMX biking and trickblading. BMX bikes are like a regular bike on steroids, they are built heavy and tough to be able to take the punishment of all the jumps and tricks, plus they have special pegs for the feet and padding to protect the biker where they are most likely to come in contact with the bike.
How To Learn A New Alphabet And Writing System (13)
Some languages have a harder writing system for English speakers. For example, Chinese and Japanese require a lot more attention to detail when writing, than say, Russian, whose alphabet still resembles that of our own language.
Enjoying Melbourne, Discover A Whole New World Of Fun (14)
Keywords: online, internet, hotel, booking, travel, holiday, agent, agency, Singpore, air ticket, cruise, Chan Melbourne offers a unique holiday experience for families. Visit during the spring or summer season and discover a whole new world of fun here.
Great Tips On Lowering Auto Insurance Costs (15)
Keep in mind traffic offenses can and will nullify this and most other discounts, so drive safely. Shop around for the best rate. I can't stress this enough.
How To Prevent Heart Disease And Improve Your Health By Eating The Right Foods (16)
As far as cooking methods go, frying is a total no-no. Stir frying in olive oil or canola oil is okay but you should never deep fry foods and that goes for eating out as well.
A Look At Buying Fitness And Exercise Equipment On EBay (17)
The copy was selling on Ebay for ten to fifteen dollars, and shipping was free. Smart Abs, which usually goes for anywhere between seventy and eighty dollars in the real world was for sale on Ebay for fifty dollars.
Good Dance Shoes Are A Necessity For Good Dancing (18)
Some men's dancing shoes have pumps that make the shoes hug your feet. The heels of men's dancing shoes have different heights and widths. This depends on what style of dance the shoe was designed for.
A Look At All The Various Types Of Paintball Games You Can Play (19)
Another popular game is called ?Elimination?. In this game the first team to succeed in taking out all of the participants in the opposing team is deemed the winner.
Fish To Eat And Fish To Avoid (20)
Hightower studied her own patients, who were affluent and ate plenty of gourmet fish -- swordfish, sea bass, halibut and ahi tuna. She found that patients who often ate these fish or were experiencing symptoms of mercury exposure (fatigue, headache, joint pain, and reduced memory and concentration) had unacceptable levels of mercury in their blood.
Permalink to Does Chocolate Really Have Aphrodisiac Qualities Or Is It Just A Myth?