According to dietician Silke Restemeyer, who works for a nutrition association in Germany, chocolate does lift the spirits. "Chocolate contains a lot of tryptophan and fat. These constituents ensure that increased amounts of the neurotransmitter serotonin are produced in the brain, and this is what causes the happy feelings," she said.

A lot of individuals associate chocolate consumption with positive memories during childhood. The sensation of chocolate melting in your mouth elicits a warm feeling. That can actually provide you with temporary distraction from the worries and stress of daily life.

However, this pleasure lasts only for a while. "After all, you can't eat that much chocolate for it to have a sustained beneficial effect - and nor should you," Restemeyer said, citing the high fat and calorie content of chocolate.

Just a little amount of chocolate a day will get you through stressful moments. However you must steer clear of other sweet treats or snacks. Snack alternatives such as dried fruit or fruit and nut mixtures will give you enough energy required to help you deal with the stress at work or the stress of personal relationships.

Observe yourself during times that you need chocolate. When you are frequently craving chocolates, you might want to do something to curb it. You can do so by doing certain things like taking a brief walk, drinking a relaxing cup of warm tea, and practicing relaxation techniques, among many others. Take any of these measures, and you are bound to dispel the blues and uplift your mood.

"It would of course be preferable to avoid the stressful situations where possible, or to learn to cope better with them internally," Restemeyer said. This way, you opt for chocolate while taking pleasure in a quiet moment, instead of using it as an antidote to stress. Isn't that what chocolate is for?

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Joanna Maligaya

Staff Writer/Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

Ever since she can remember, Joanna has always considered chocolate as the ultimate food for her soul. She believes in the saying, “9 out of 10 people love chocolate, and the 10th always lies.”

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