Anything sounds yummy!

by Vanessa Fierstadt

It's been a long day at school or work perhaps; nothing to eat all day, food is on your mind. It is common that by the end of the day consuming a meal takes up all thought. Anything sounds yummy! And you will go to great lengths to get it. It's the worst time to go grocery shopping, anything and everything looks appetizing. You'll end up buying a cart full of items that you won't be needing until next month.

Food for thought. Chocolate, something the average person fancies, is consumed all over the world every second. It's sold in every store and gas station on the road, and is probably in your pantry at this very moment. According to Radio Netherlands we are not the only era that is in love with this delightful treat.

Mayans and Aztecs included chocolate in many of their cultural ceremonies and by the 17th century, drinking sweet dark chocolate became a craze throughout Europe. As most of you may already know, the most rewarding result of indulging in chocolate is that it is a "feel good" food. There are logical reasons for this actually; Exploratorium Magazine states that chocolate contains 300 known chemicals - caffeine being one of the most common and popular. When combined with theobromine, the two create that amazing "lift" many chocoholics experience. Another chemical, tryptophan, which produces mood-changes, is also contained in some sweets; thanks to serotonin levels it may even diminish anxiety.

So, next time you have stage fright, half an hour before your presentation eat a candy bar, you'll be jumping all over the place, an A guaranteed. Don't pay attention to the rumors, it has been said that chocolate causes tooth decay, and aggravates cholesterol levels, when actually the cocoa butter in most chocolate coats the teeth in your mouth, helping to prevent plaque from forming. Researchers from the University of California stated that chocolate contain phenolics which may help lower the risk of heart disease.

Even more reason to indulge, don't worry you're not alone, chocolate cravings are admitted by 15 percent of men and approximately 40 percent of women.

Adding to the knowledge of chocolate, thanks to the Joel Glenn Brenner of the Washington Post, we now know that Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are Hershey's biggest seller. During the 1950's the company tried to produce chocolate marshmallow cups, but unfortunately and somewhat funny they had to be discontinued, the marshmallow filling had a tendency to explode when shipped over the high altitudes of the Rocky Mountains.

So, whether you're having a candy bar, a cup of hot cocoa, or just a sliver of cake, think of all the delicacies you are receiving just by taking a single bite.