We all have chocolate cravings, but women seem to have stronger desire for it than men do. Why is it so? Research has found that these cravings may be in relation to blood sugar levels, stress and hormonal changes caused by a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Chocolates have sugar and caffeine content and these can alter your blood sugar levels. One reason why we sometimes crave chocolates is because sugar in our blood hits the low levels and chocolates can be a good source of a quick sugar fix.

Eating chocolate never fails to make you feel good and this is due to the  serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that can enhance the mood. This is the main reason why chocolate is a renowned comfort food.

Days before menstrual periods, women’s serotonin levels are low. In addition to that, hormonal changes cause depletion in the levels of minerals in the blood, such as magnesium, which can also be found in chocolates. These are some of the reasons for such powerful chocolate cravings.

Some scientists say that such cravings are just caused by cultural factors since research has shown that American women have stronger yearnings for chocolates than those of other nationalities. While some researchers claim that chocolate cravings are basically psychological in a sense that menstruating women feel that they are socially entitled to eat chocolate albeit its high fat contents.

Additionally, chocolate is arguably addictive. Research has shown that it contains alkaloid, compounds that make alcohol addictive. Scientists also found that it contains anandamine, another compound that gets marijuana users hooked.

Phenylethylamine is also a substance found in chocolates and this is a chemical found in the body which is just like the addicting amphetamine. It gives people feelings like those of euphoria and giddiness.  These compounds are said to stimulate the pleasure centers of the brain and it peaks during orgasm, which is why women reportedly choose chocolates over sex. Interesting, eh?

Nevertheless, chocolates are not proven to have enough contents of these compounds for it to be actually addictive.

The last and main reason for such intense cravings is because chocolate is good, period. Good is an understatement even. The exact word to describe chocolate? You decide.

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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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