Chocolate!!Chocolate!!

It really does make you feel good It really does make you feel good

How many chemicals?How many chemicals?

Chocolate contains over Chocolate contains over 380380 different different chemicals! chemicals!

Here are just a few….Here are just a few….

Tetrahydro-beta-carbolinesTetrahydro-beta-carbolines

More than a mouth full…More than a mouth full… MildMild MAO (monoamine MAO (monoamine

oxidase) inhibitors. oxidase) inhibitors.

(Similar to antidepressant)(Similar to antidepressant)

Influences Influences moodmood, food intake, compulsive , food intake, compulsive behaviors, and behaviors, and addictionaddiction

TheobromineTheobromine

DogsDogs cannot digest cannot digest May go “mad” or May go “mad” or

become ill temporarily become ill temporarily as the body tries to rid as the body tries to rid itselfitself

Could be fatal in large Could be fatal in large quantitiesquantities

BabiesBabies cannot digest cannot digest May become illMay become ill

Brain Produces Natural OpiatesBrain Produces Natural OpiatesEndorphinsEndorphins

Dull painDull pain Increase feeling of Increase feeling of

well-beingwell-being EuphoriaEuphoria

AnandamideAnandamide

Cannabanoid MimicCannabanoid Mimic Binds to THC Binds to THC

receptorsreceptors But be careful….But be careful…. A 130 pound person + A 130 pound person +

25 pounds of 25 pounds of chocolate (pure) =chocolate (pure) =

marijuana-like highmarijuana-like high

Phenyl ethylaminePhenyl ethylamine

Similar to Similar to amphetaminesamphetamines

StimulantStimulant Blood pressure and Blood pressure and

blood sugar risesblood sugar rises AlertnessAlertness ContentmentContentment

Caffeine/MethylxanthinesCaffeine/Methylxanthines

How much stimulation?How much stimulation?

130 pound person + 12 Hershey bars = 130 pound person + 12 Hershey bars =

1 cup of coffee1 cup of coffee

What do What do youyou know now? know now?

Ahhh…Ahhh…

The joy of chocolate!The joy of chocolate!

Reflect:Reflect: