Chocolate is better than kissing!

Chocolate 'better than kissing'

When it comes to tongues, melting chocolate is better than a passionate kiss, scientists have found.

Couples in their 20s had their heart rates and brains monitored whilst they first melted chocolate in their mouths and then kissed.

Chocolate caused a more intense and longer lasting "buzz" than kissing, and doubled volunteers' heart rates.

The research was carried out by Dr David Lewis, formerly of the University of Sussex, and now of the Mind Lab.

“ Chocolate beats kissing hands down when it comes to providing a long-lasting body and brain buzz ”
Dr David Lewis

Experts, concerned at growing levels of obesity throughout the developed world, warn that chocolate should only be consumed in moderation.

Dr Lewis said: "There is no doubt that chocolate beats kissing hands down when it comes to providing a long-lasting body and brain buzz.

"A buzz that, in many cases, lasted four times as long as the most passionate kiss."

He said substances in chocolate were already known to have a psychoactive effect, but that allowing it to melt on your tongue could be the secret to maximising the buzz.

The volunteers, all aged in their 20s, had electrodes attached to their scalps and wore heart monitors during the two tests.

The researchers compared their resting heart rates with those during the chocolate and kissing tests.

Longer lasting effects

Although kissing set the heart pounding, the effect did not last as long as that seen with the chocolate, which increased heart rates from a resting rate of about 60 beats per minute to 140.

The study also found that as the chocolate started melting, all regions of the brain received a boost far more intense and longer lasting than the excitement seen with kissing.

Although women are generally thought to be bigger fans of chocolate than men, the research found the same reactions to chocolate in both sexes.

Dr Lewis said: "These results really surprised and intrigued us.

"While we fully expected chocolate- especially dark chocolate - to increase heart rates due to the fact it contains some highly stimulating substances, both the length of this increase together with the powerful effects it had on the mind were something none of us had anticipated."

“ You'd think people would be shy about kissing in a laboratory, but that wasn't the case at all ”
Cadbury spokeswoman

Psychologist Sue Wright said: "Chocolate contains phenylethylamine which can raise levels of endorphins, the pleasure-giving substances, in the brain.

"It also contains caffeine which has a stimulatory effect on the brain.

"This would explain why chocolate can give people a buzz, and why people can become addicted to it."

The research used a new 60% cocoa dark chocolate from Cadbury, and a spokeswoman for the chocolate makers said: "You'd think people would be shy about kissing in a laboratory, but that wasn't the case at all. We're not talking about a quick peck here."

The Mind Lab is funded by members of the food industry, although no firm can be linked to any individual study.

Your comments

The tests are not the accurate really because if i had the choice of kissing my partner or chocolate, I am sure the chocolate would win but if you gave me Al Pacino to kiss the results would be very different.
Sue Hedges, Bristol

In my opinion these scientists have underrated the effects...I'd say chocolate is probably at least 10 times better than any other known form of stimulation in existence. And the only thing better than a bar of chocolate is two bars of chocolate!
Katharine Arnold, London

Of course chocolate is better than kissing! It is guranteed to taste better every time - which, in my experience, is more than can be said for some passionate kisses!
Deborah Carrel, Bridgwater Somerset

I can only draw 2 conclusions from that! They¿re not kissing the right person¿..OR...I SO want some of that chocolate if it¿s really true!
Chad, London

From my experience kissing allways beats the chocolate bar, maybe Im choosing the wrong chocolate!
Kelly Gara, Cheshire

Obviously none of them had kissed my gorgeous wife.
Kev, Stoke

Chocolates kinda makes me fat though - but kissing seems to help me lose weight.
Calvin, New York, USA

You will always remember your first kiss not your first chocolate.
Musah Haruna, Slough

I don't know, a passionate kiss, vs. lovely dark chocolate . . . It depends who I"m kissing. There are kisses I can still remember, but I can't remember a single bar of chocolate, and I'm a choc-oholic!
Kathryn Leeson-Kight, Ex Pat British Living in USA

Well I am a girl and therefore a huge chocolate fan however recently I have found that I get a much bigger buzz from kissing my boyfriend, however this is a new relationship so that may be the reason why, after a few months I might have to resort back to chocolate!
Natalie Stewart, Lincoln, UK

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/6558775.stm

Published: 2007/04/16 12:36:10 GMT

© BBC MMIX

Check this out: http://www.realage.com/tips/3-new-health-benefits-of-eating-chocolate

Chocolate makes you smarter.

Chocolate weakens heart attacks.

Chocolate has a cavity-fighting compound.

fun, fun fun

Christmas 2009 will be for teens! I am also seriously thinking of how I spend Christmas with you! Hope you could come to Davao. Maybe someday.

Duuhhhhhhhh! I want this to be simple and happy Christmas for them and I still do not know what to do on that day.

I am thinking of a contest. Some performances. Some serious talking. Some games.

If you got some ideas, please write. Remember, just simple activities and without much expenses.

My mother will also be around. The first Christmas without my father.

less spent, great returns

Merry Christmas!

It feels so good to see people hustle and bustle in every corner. Rushing to buy here and there. Food everywhere. Parties and drinks. When did I stop this craze?

Let me think.

It has been 2 or 3 Christmases wherein the family celebrated it with the least of expenses! I thought of teaching my children to learn the art of "delaying". It is the time of the year when it seems that "one has to buy" a new shirt, pants, shoes etc. as if there will be no other days to come.

It is a special season. But spending scares me so much.

We spent less for the past 3 years and I realized we ended up with the same amount of happiness for the season. For less amount in our pockets.

I do not want to be pressured this time and for the rest of my life. Happy Christmas memories is not just about the gifts. It is being together. And when one is alone. It is about making oneself complete.

I am glad my children learned to adjust with the worst of our financial condition.

Chocolate President

I was looking for something new about chocolate and while getting some respite from serious writing like peace and justice, I found this material from Youtube.

Well, I like political satires and how people react to their jokes. I am more interested with how we react. Comedians and hosts sometimes just go on and on without much considerations on political leanings or emotional attachments of sorts. But the audience have lots of it.

Chocolate Jesus or Chocolate President are remarks that could be inappropriate but where does jokes put on a limit? Where does the audience contextualize it? Hmmmm kind of serious matter.

I loved the conversation. I loved the topics. Serious stuff like eating chocolates. Please watch!

chocolate sandwich

I got a recipe here for a grilled chocolate sandwich! There are some chocolate spread in the market that I love. My children and I would even eat it without the bread but when I was making my own chocolates, the pure dark chocolates, I started "not liking" the taste of processed chocolate.

Lets make this sandwich together!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
• 3 ounce(s) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoon(s) butter, softened
• 8 slice(s) thin whole-wheat or white sandwich bread
• 3 tablespoon(s) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoon(s) chopped toasted hazelnuts, (optional)

---

Directions

1. Heat evaporated milk just until boiling. Add chocolate, let stand for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
2. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Divide the chocolate mixture on the unbuttered side of 4 slices, leaving a little border. Press chocolate chips and nuts, if using, into the chocolate. Cover with the remaining slices of bread, buttered-side up, and press lightly.
3. Cook the sandwiches in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn over, press with a spatula, and cook until nicely browned and the chocolate is barely melted, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Serve warm.

give me my chocolates

I miss blogging! I have been off for two days but I am still writing. For some few bucks! Yahoooooooo!

God, how I wish someone gives me a box of chocolates!