Let’s talk about the story of chocolate, which attracts people with its smell and appearance, creates a pleasant perception in the minds with its taste, and can be used in almost every dessert today.
The discovery of chocolate, whose history dates back to Central America, emerged when the Mayans and Aztecs began to produce cocoa beans, and at that time it began to be consumed as a bitter drink. According to the legend; Emperor of the Aztecs, Montezuma II, used to consume 50 cups of cocoa a day. The cocoa beans, which are the source of the beverage, are not only used to produce a beverage; it was also used as a currency.
Cocoa beans were first brought to Europe by Columbus. For a certain period of time, it did not gain much fame, including in the Iberian Peninsula. In the meantime, events started to develop when the explorer Cortez came to Mexico (1519) and the Aztecs offered him a glass of cocoa drink. Cortez then considered various alternatives to understand and communicate the potential of these cocoa beans. Applying his thought, he added a suitable amount of sugar to the taste of the Spanish aristocracy and presented it to them. This idea led to the increase of its popularity to Europe and the spread of chocolate.
Production of chocolate, most people think of chocolate as a solid that melts. In fact, chocolate is a liquid food that is processed and transferred to a mold. Basically, chocolate, which consists of cocoa components, dairy products and sugar, optionally contains various edible components. Various flavors can also be included in it. Examples of these are hazelnuts, whey powder and vanilla. In addition, the components may vary according to the content of the desired type of chocolate.
The scientifically proven effect of chocolate has a meaning beyond hormones. Thanks to the positive effects it sends to the brain, chocolate makes the person feel better. The brain perceives the chocolate entering the body as a reward and releases endorphins. Because chocolate contains compounds such as tyramine, phenylethylamine, theobromine and caffeine that directly affect the brain. And the result is happiness.
So the food we eat affect our mental health? According to studies, the foods consumed not only provide the body’s metabolic energy needs, but also affect many brain functions, including the mind and cognition. It is increasingly accepted that food and nutrition affect mood and behavior and contribute to both physical and emotional well-being. In addition, mood affects the individual’s choices and decisions about what kind of food to consume. It is known that inadequacy of various nutrients not only causes weakening in cognitive functions and depressive mood, but also is effective in exhibiting aggressive behaviors. The importance of signals in the brain-intestinal axis in the emergence of the effects of nutrition on mood, behavior and cognition is better understood today.