Is Chocolate Really Addictive?

Chocolate advertising often centers on naïve sexy women lured by men with chocolate. Still, there is barely any proof that this widely desired kind of sweets causes real addiction.

"Rather, chocolate is irresistible partly because we know we're not supposed to have too much. People readily label themselves chocoholics, with the assumption that chocolate has mood-enhancing ingredients. There is little evidence to support that idea," said Peter Rogers of the University of Bristol.

The chocolate's compounds that are pharmacologically active, like serotonin, tryptophan, phenylethylamine, tyramine and cannabinoids, are found in higher amounts in other food items less appealing than chocolate.

"A more compelling explanation lies in our ambivalent attitudes towards chocolate. It is highly desired but should be eaten with restraint (nice but naughty). Our unfulfilled desire to eat chocolate, resulting from restraint, is thus experienced as craving, which in turn is attributed to 'addiction.'" said Rogers.

The most sold chocolate products, milk chocolate and chocolate-covered candies, have the least cocoa solids and therefore a lower percentage of potentially psychoactive chemicals, than dark chocolate.

"So, chocolate's appeal and its effects on mood are likely due mainly to its main ingredients, sugar and fat." explained Rogers.

Still, the bitterest chemical found in chocolate, theobromine, an alkaloid similar to caffeine, was found to encourage the fight against cavities.

Preliminary tests revealed to a Tulane team that this chemical is more efficient than fluoride in strengthening the crystalline structure of teeth against erosion by acid-producing bacteria, linked to tooth decay.

Epicatechin, a cocoa chemical, drops most common death-causing conditions (stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes) to less than 10% in those who drink up to 40 cups of cocoa weekly.

But flavanols like epicatechin are usually removed for commercial cocoas (employed for producing chocolate) because they inflict a bitter taste.