Chocolate's Secret of Happiness

                                          

Did you know that chocolate is actually a fruit? Yes, it’s

widely considered a candy, but it’s actually made from cacao trees. Have you also wondered why chocolate makes you feel happy, or relaxed? Well, the secret might not only lie in the chemical structure of the fruit, but mainly in the psychological effect of consuming the chocolate itself.

Cacao Beans 

Cacao Fruit

One main component of the cacao fruit is phenethylamine, a natural antidepressant that acts on the nervous system. It binds to the TAAR1 receptors in the nervous system causing the release of dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine reinforces enjoyable sensations and behaviors—like eating chocolate. Norepinephrine makes you feel jittery and aware. It also increases blood pressure, and sugar levels.

Another component is tryptophan, an amino acid that the body changes to serotonin, the happiness hormone.

Along with many other compounds, phenethylamine and tryptophan are believed to have a positive effect on us. However, these compounds are present in small quantities, and it will take a big deal of chocolate to induce such effects. Furthermore, these compounds will probably get digested before they reach the brain.

So what is the real reason chocolate makes us happy? It has to do with our brains associating the act of eating chocolate to the satisfaction and experience of filling your stomach with sugary and delicious sweets.

Despite the truth, we should all agree that chocolate is the most unusual and extraordinary happiness fruit.