Chocolate, at one time, was a food group for me. Throughout my teen and young adult years, I claimed two, chocolate and a diet coke. Not sure why I would have a diet coke. I did not learn that there was a physical connection and craving for chocolate and diet coke until I entered clinical research.
A recent study by Zimmerman and Ellinger does not explain the addictiveness of chocolate. Still, it provides detailed information about some of the benefits of chocolate's main ingredient, which is cocoa. According to Zimmerman and Ellinger, cocoa and coca-containing foods can enhance physical performance improve hypertension and other chronic illnesses (Zimmerman, Ellinger, 2020). Many clinical trials are in progress to study the claims of health benefits of chocolate.
In my case study, I tried to find a reason for my love of chocolate. The emotional and physical cues were remarkable as I look back over the years. I would eat more than a pound of chocolate in a couple of days. The dark chocolate Kisses had a home on my desk. I remember at one point, my team and even the doctors at the clinic would walk by my desk to see if I had chocolate before coming in to speak with me. What was that about! Nevertheless, besides the known connection for relaxation and calming, chocolate has been found to have cardioprotective properties.
It is more appropriate to relate my love of chocolate with the cardioprotective properties because the link can validate me because of my long-standing cardiac issues. Beata Sperkowska et al. studied the cardiovascular effects of chocolate and wine. While wine has not been a drink of choice, their findings on chocolate and the heart are impressive. Sperkowska and her team confirmed that taken in recommended amounts, active ingredients in chocolate and wine contain phenolic compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants and components such as amino acids that add to the cardioprotective properties of chocolate.
In my case study, I tried to find a reason for my love of chocolate. The emotional and physical cues were remarkable as I look back over the years. I would eat more than a pound of chocolate in a couple of days. The dark chocolate Kisses had a home on my desk. I remember at one point, my team and even the doctors at the clinic would walk by my desk to see if I had chocolate before coming in to speak with me. What was that about? Nevertheless, besides the known connection for relaxation and calming, chocolate has been found to have cardioprotective properties.
Pam Nelson is the president of Bracane Company, Inc. Bracane Company, Inc. is a life science company that partners with government agencies, biopharmaceutical, medical device, and insurance companies to provide operational support for health projects and contingent staffing resources. Bracane Company is celebrating twenty years of providing customers. Learn More