Chocolate's reputation as an Aphrodisiac began in South America more than 1,500 years ago. The Mayan and Aztec cultures believed it had mystical and aphrodisiac qualities.
The Aztec emperor, Montezuma is alleged to have drunk 50 golden goblets of chocolate a day to enhance his sexual prowess. So when chocolate was discovered by the Conquistadors and brought back to Europe by Cortez, it was natural that the Spanish, and eventually, the rest of the world, continued to associate it with love.
Well - you have only to look at its affects on human behaviour. Chocolate is a very complex food - so complex in fact that scientists are only now beginning to unlock its secrets.
Among its many constituents, chocolate has been found to contain substances called Phenyl-ethylamine and Serotonin, both of which are mood lifting agents. They both occur naturally in the human brain and are released by the brain into the nervous system when we are happy and also when we are experiencing feelings of love, or lust.
The effects are: a rapid mood change, a rise in blood pressure, increased heart rate and also those euphoric feelings usually associated with being in love. Phenyl-ethylamine and Serotonin may also be mildly addictive, explaining why chocoholics are "chocoholics".
What's more eating Chocolate gives an immediate and substantial energy boost - thus increasing stamina. Although the famous lover, Casanova is said to have consumed chocolate for its aphrodisiac qualities, recent research suggests that women are more amenable to the effects than men.
Casanova obviously didn't know this, as there's no mention of him giving chocolate gifts or even sharing a bit with the ladies. Whether you believe it's an aphrodisiac or not, eating chocolate does make you feel good and can actually induce or "mimic" the feelings of being in love...
So, if you want to ensure your loved one's devotion, a gift of chocolate is a good step in the right direction. Dare we suggest you try a bit of scientific research?
