"A loud snap made them all jump. Professor Lupin was breaking an enormous slab of chocolate into pieces.
'Here,' he said to Harry, handing him a particularly large piece. 'Eat it. It'll help.'"
- "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,"page 84
Excellent news! In a 2012 research study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that more frequent consumption of chocolate was actually associated with a lower body mass index. Perhaps one of our more enjoyable indulgences may actually be a healthy habit? A Harvard research group also looked into chocolate and found that eating one square of dark chocolate a day lowered blood pressure and diabetes risk by causing blood vessel dilation and increasing insulin sensitivity. They concluded that overall cocoa consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, confirming to many post-breakup folks that chocolate is indeed the best remedy for heart health. The delicious cocoa confection has also been shown to elevate mood when performing unpleasant tasks, making even the dreariest chore more bearable.
But what is it about chocolate that makes us feel better, from our blood vessels to our moods? The magical substance somehow manages to help us recover from anything, whether it's a bad day, a dementor attack or a cold morning.
Turns out, chocolate and humans were absolutely made for each other. Science-wise, everything we need to generate "happiness" is contained within a chocolate bar. According to Science Focus, chocolate contains tryptophan, an amino acid that is used by the brain to create serotonin, the neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy. Phenylethylalanine, the chemical that is released as you fall in love and acts as an anti-depressant when combined with dopamine, has also been isolated in chocolate. And finally, theobromine, the chemical released when you get high, is a major ingredient in chocolate that helps you get to that cheerful, euphoric place.
Whew. That was a lot of science-y terms. Basically what all of that means though, is that the recipe for pure bliss is contained within a chocolate bar. Tell people you're eating it for your cardiovascular health, and close your eyes and enjoy the mood-elevating benefits of the treat. Turns out Professor Lupin was on to something when he kept offering Harry chocolate. So go on! Eat that chocolate, and don't feel bad about it.
