Love and chocolates have been celebrated partners since the time the Spaniards brought back cocoa beans and the secret of the chocolate drink to Europe. Europe easily became intoxicated with the drink, demanding more of it, which then lead to the subjugation of the Indian people of South and Central America and the prolification of cocoa farms there. The legend of cocoa's amazing aphrodisiac and love stimulating properties has since then become legendary. But what is really behind the addictive properties of chocolate? And is there much truth to it being an aphrodisiac?

Research has been extensive on the amatory effect of cocoa and a lot of interesting discoveries and results have been found about it from its physical heart healing effect and other health benefiting effects to its mood uplifting and stimulating effects. Since the publication of The Chemistry of Love, the direct link between love and chocolates has been more or less established.

The book talks about the chemical phenethylamine (PEA), which is behind or which triggers the feeling of love in a person. Chocolate is especially rich in PEA. So of course, once you first taste the love feeling you get in chocolate, you want to try it again, and addiction ultimately sets in. It is that good.

In fact, you get more oomph out of eating a block of dark chocolate than you get out of smooch. This is what a group of British found out two years ago in their study of a group of 20 year olds. They found that chocolate sets the heart pounding faster and longer than kissing. They also discovered that all areas of the brain got an intense stimulation and excitement once the chocolate starts melting in the mouth. And the effect is much longer than a kiss as well.

The love mode state is further supported by another chemical, serotonin. And chocolate happens to contain a stimulant that is a precursor of serotonin. It lends a lot of credence to the aphrodisiac effect of the confection.

Another stimulating and addictive effect found in cocoa and chocolate is anandamide. The substance is also produced in the brain, and when you consume chocolate, it triggers a "feel good" feeling and encourages the production of endorphins.

Another "feel good" substance is theobromine, named after the cocoa tree itself. Cocoa and chocolate also contains a bit of caffeine, another substance that is addictive.

That it can be so addictive, the danger of overconsumption can be a serious health concern. Chocolate has many good health and disease fighting benefits, and doctors are continually discovering new benefits from the cocoa bean. However, chocolate bars are high in calories. Other people complain of headaches, acne, tooth decay and other bad effects with eating chocolate. Not that there are enough scientific basis to link chocolate to these problems.

A lot of people claim to be chocoholics. Chocoholism is not considered a clinical problem though. In any case, moderation is the key here. Perhaps one bar of dark chocolate a week is enough to give you the great benefits and protection that the confection can give you.