Many find chocolate irresistible - including myself. We crave chocolate, we savor it, and we enjoy it. There comes the passion for chocolate - or rather the chocolate addiction.

What is the chemistry inherent in this passion or addiction? How does it make so many of us become addicted to chocolate?

The reason is simple: chocolate is an addicting drug. Scientists have found that naloxone, an opiate blocker, reduces chocolate addiction. This is strong evidence that chocolate is addictive, just like any other drug. However, chocolate is only a mild version of addicting drug - but enough to have the brain effect that creates the real, compulsive attraction.

In addition to caffeine (although not nearly as much as coffee), chocolate contains other chemicals, such as theobromine, phenylethylamine, that create marijuana-like effect on the brain. Such chemical effect of chocolate on the brain is significant and substantial, especially when the chocolate seduction is reinforced by the smell, taste, and texture of chocolate.

But the chocolate industry would like us to believe that chocolate is good for our health.

Chocolate is good for you because it comes from a fruit tree, which contains antioxidants with beneficial heart benefits, especially dark chocolate. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, chocolate reduces your body's absorption of fat. In addition, chocolate contains flavonoids more potent than vitamin C in reducing your bad cholesterol.

But, is chocolate really healthy for you?

The truth of the matter is that if you absolutely love chocolate, you would like to believe anything - especially what you want to believe.

Firstly, most scientific studies on the health of chocolate are funded by the industry - a valid reason to take every positive finding with a grain of salt.

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans from a fruit tree. Almost all plants contain antioxidants. If you really love antioxidants, then go for vegetables and fruits, not necessarily chocolate. The problem with chocolate is that coca beans are so bitter that loads of fat and sugar are added to make chocolate taste good and sweet. As a result, chocolate is loaded with calories, sixty percent of which come from fat, which contributes to cholesterol increase and weight gain. One ounce of chocolate contains as much as one-hundred-fifty calories with forty to fifty percent fat. M&M semisweet baking chocolate contains a whopping almost four hundred calories, over ten grams of saturated fat and more than forty grams of sugar! Do you honestly think these ingredients are healthy for you?

In addition, chocolate, which contains caffeine, not only irritates your kidneys and thins your blood, but also changes your mood.

Chocolate is unhealthy due to its unhealthy ingredients, which may cause headaches, obesity, heartburn, and emotional problems. If you must eat chocolate occasionally, go for quality ones, not the cheap ones which are mostly sugar, trans fats, artificial colorings, flavorings, and preservatives. Read the label! Watch out for additives and added fats! Or simply resist the chocolate temptation, if you can!

Eat chocolate just because you like it, and not because it is healthy!

If chocolate does not make you any healthier, does it make you happier?

A study of self-confessed chocolate addicts found that chocolate could give them a sense of contentment. However, the pleasure was accompanied by a sense of guilt, which could trigger an eating disorder. Worse, chocolate cravings were not driven by hunger: they binged on chocolate even when they were full.

If you crave chocolate only occasionally, you need not be overtly concerned. However, if you binge on chocolate, it could spell trouble down the road. Chocolate can do a lot more than just packing on the pounds if the addiction intensifies. The addictive effects differ from one person to the next. So it is of paramount importance that you pay attention to how chocolate affects your mood.

Copyright (c) 2008 Stephen Lau